West Ham United faces a nervous wait regarding the fitness of star forward Jarrod Bowen ahead of their Europa League second leg against Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday.
Bowen in race against time
Bowen missed the first leg due to a back injury, and the Hammers are anxious about his availability for the crucial return match at home. His presence is critical, especially considering West Ham needs to overturn a 2-0 deficit to advance to the semi-finals.
Manager David Moyes is determined to give Bowen every chance to recover, potentially delaying a decision until the very last minute. An open training session is scheduled for Wednesday morning, followed by Moyes’ pre-match press conference.
The 26-year-old has been West Ham’s leading scorer this season with 19 goals across all competitions. His absence would be a significant blow to their attacking threat against an in-form Leverkusen side.
West Ham are already without midfielder Lucas Paqueta due to suspension, further hindering their options. Bayer Leverkusen presents a daunting challenge. They are the reigning Bundesliga champions, currently unbeaten in 43 games under manager Xabi Alonso.
West Ham needs a miracle turnaround against a seemingly unstoppable Leverkusen. Bowen’s potential return offers a glimmer of hope, but the Hammers face a race against time to get him fit for this crucial European encounter.