Selection Dilemmas: Which midfield trio should West Ham play against Macclesfield?

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West Ham face Macclesfield in the EFL Cup tomorrow night and it is a chance to rotate the players.

Manuel Pellegrini will be looking for his fringe players to step up and prove a point in the cup fixture.

After picking up four points in the last two league games, West Ham now have some momentum.

But the Chilean will want to rest some of his players so that they are ready for Manchester United’s visit on Saturday.

In the last two games, Pellegrini has found success with a new 4-3-3 formation.

This system includes a midfield trio, where one player sits behind the other two, forming a solid protection for the back four.

But who should Pellegrini play in midfield in midweek? Here are the options…

Mark Noble

Noble has been impressive in the last couple of games. The experienced midfielder leads by example as captain and offers non-stop running. But he could be rested in midweek.

Declan Rice

Rice has been a revelation since his recall. The 19-year-old was man of the match at Everton and was in contention for the top award against Chelsea too.

The teenager plays with such confidence and maturity, despite his age, filling the defensive midfield role.

Pedro Obiang

Obiang has also starred since returning to the first-team starting XI. The Spaniard offers legs in midfield and the ability to move forward with the ball.

Carlos Sanchez

Sanchez could be recalled to the starting line-up. The Colombia international has lost his place after his costly error in injury time against Wolves saw West Ham lose 1-0 to the visitors.

Reece Oxford

Oxford could be an interesting outside shot in this midfield trio. The 19-year-old has been with the under-21s all season but could make the step up.

The England under-20 international might captain the young Hammers in tonight’s Checkatrade Trophy.

Or he could be included as either a centre-back or central midfielder for Pellegrini’s first-team.

The verdict

I think Pellegrini has to be wise with his rotation here. Noble is not getting any younger and probably needs a rest.

With Jack Wilshere injured, that leaves Sanchez and Obiang as the two central midfielders who play slightly further forward.

Rice – with his youthful exuberance – will be chomping at the bit to retain his spot in holding midfield. It remains to be seen whether Pellegrini believes Oxford is good enough to step up to the first-team.

Provided that Pellegrini keeps this 4-3-3 system, I would deploy Oxford as the holding midfielder and push Sanchez and Obiang further ahead.

This would be a big opportunity for the teenager to prove himself in a competitive first-team game.