A look at the issues facing both managers ahead of an important game at the weekend
West Ham United look set to be without two key forwards for the crunch tie with Everton at the weekend. Both sides are under pressure after disappointing starts to the season and three points on Saturday would provide a major boost to Julen Lopetegui or Sean Dyche ahead of the latest international break.
For West Ham, three important players are expected to miss out, two of them central to the attacking plans formulated over the summer.
Detailed updates on the condition of big money signing Niclas Fullkrug have been few and far between but the striker missed West Ham’s defeat at Nottingham Forest as his absence extended to another game.
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The 31-year-old suffered what has been described as an injury in the calf and achilles area while with Germany last month and a return does not appear imminent.
Lopetegui will certainly be without Mohammed Kudus. The forward, who was on the cusp of joining Everton two years ago, will be serving the final match of the three game ban he picked up for his sending off at Tottenham Hotspur. Midfielder Edson Alvarez will also be absent after he was sent off for two yellow cards at Forest.
For Everton, questions will be asked over the fitness of Dwight McNeil, Iliman Ndiaye and Abdoulaye Doucoure. McNeil started the defeat to Southampton despite having missed training over the previous week, while Ndiaye was taken off with a dead leg. Doucoure was not involved on the south coast but his groin issue was described last week as minor, so unless any of those three have suffered setbacks the expectation is they will each be available.
Everton’s longer term injuries will not return before the international break. Armando Broja is expected to close on a return to first team football this month but Dyche has suggested the striker will feature for the Under-21s first in order to build fitness.
James Garner (back), Tim Iroegbunam (foot) and Youssef Chermiti (foot) are all facing longer term lay-offs.
