West Ham will again make a late call on Jarrod Bowen’s fitness ahead of Sunday’s crucial Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace.
Bowen missed two matches earlier this month with a back problem but recovered in time to play in Thursday night’s Europa League quarter-final exit against Bayer Leverkusen.
However, manager David Moyes revealed the forward needed an injection to get through that game and is by no means certain to feature at Selhurst Park, where the Hammers must win to avoid slipping off the pace in the race for Europe.
“Jarrod’s always quite robust, but I know he was really touch and go for last night’s match, and he was really close to not playing,” Moyes said on Friday morning.
“He took an injection before the fixture, so we’ll need to see how he is and how he’s reacted to that. It was a big boost to have him back, as it is whenever your big players are available to play.”
Meanwhile, the Hammers have injury problems to contend with at centre-back. Konstantinos Mavropanos missed the Leverkusen game through injury, while Nayef Aguerd suffered an ankle problem before half-time in the same match, meaning Angelo Ogbonna may start on Sunday.
Lucas Paqueta and Emerson will be available again after suspension, while Alphonse Areola and Kalvin Phillips could come into contention having returned to training this week. Youngster George Earthy is out while following concussion protocols.
“Nayef went over on his ankle, but we’ve not had the chance to assess him yet,” Moyes added. “Him and Dinos are both set to be checked, and then we’ll know more ahead of the weekend. It’s the same situation with Alphonse and Kalvin.”
West Ham predicted XI: Fabianski; Johnson, Zouma, Ogbonna, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez, Ward-Prowse; Kudus, Antonio, Paqueta
Doubts: Bowen, Mavropanos, Aguerd
Injured: Earthy
Time and date: 3pm BST on Sunday 21st April, 2024
Venue: Selhurst Park
TV channel and live stream: Not available in the UK
