Evening Standard
·15 April 2024
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·15 April 2024
David Moyes is hoping for some positive injury news ahead of a huge week for West Ham.
The second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie comes on Thursday night, with the Hammers needing to overturn a two-goal deficit against Bayer Leverkusen at the London Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen missed that first-leg defeat in Germany and remains a doubt, while Alphonse Areola and Kalvin Phillips have also had spells on the sidelines.
Here is the latest West Ham injury news...
West Ham could be without Jarrod Bowen for the second leg against Leverkusen on Thursday night.
The forward missed the first match in Germany and then played no part against Fulham over the weekend, with the West Ham boss reluctant to give a timeframe for Bowen’s return injury.
“We think that when he got the knee, he’s twisted and damaged a bit of something,” Moyes said last week.
“They said it’s like what a fast bowler gets, with the rotation. We think that’s where the damage has come.”
Potential return date: Liverpool (h) on Saturday, April 27, 2024
Alphonse Areola has been on the sidelines since he was forced off with a groin issue during the defeat to Newcastle at the end of last month.
Ahead of the Wolves match on Sunday, which Areola was ultimately ruled out of, Moyes was unsure as to whether his goalkeeper would be available, suggesting the goalkeeper is close to a comeback.
"The thing with muscle injuries is that you can't rush back, or you risk making it worse. Hopefully I can recover quickly, and the team can get the right result at Wolves."
Lukasz Fabianski has regularly got the nod in Europe for West Ham anyway, meaning Areola may have to wait for his return even if he does make the squad against Leverkusen.
Potential return date: Bayer Leverkusen (h) on Thursday, April 18, 2024
Alphonse Areola is closing in on a return
REUTERS
A disastrous loan spell for Kalvin Phillips continued when the midfielder suffered an injury in training.
Phillips has not featured since his nightmare cameo against Newcastle, with Moyes confirming the latest setback last week and the 28-year-old was not fit enough to be included in the squad to face Fulham.
“He kicked the back of one of the boys’ legs and we think he’s just tweaked a bit of his lower hamstring at the back of his knee,” Moyes said.
“I don’t think it’s long-term but it only happened yesterday so I’m not quite sure.”