There looks set to be an absolutely huge £98.5m triple boost for David Moyes ahead of West Ham’s crossroads clash with Crystal Palace.
After a recent upturn in results following a dismal start to the season, West Ham slipped to a harsh defeat against Man United at the weekend.
London rivals Crystal Palace meanwhile have lost just once in their last five Premier League matches and beat Southampton 1-0 last time out to replace West Ham in 10th place.
Moyes has the luxury of resting all his key first team stars for the Europa Conference League dead rubber game against FCSB in Romania this Thursday night.
The Hammers have already qualified for the last 16 having won the group with five wins from five.
So Patrick Vieira can expect a fully refreshed West Ham when Crystal Palace come to the London Stadium on Sunday.
The clash with the Eagles has become a big game in many respects for West Ham. The Hammers are standing at something of a fork in the road for their season before the World Cup break with three home games against Palace, Blackburn in the cup and Leicester.
Win those matches and West Ham will be looking up at the European spots rather than over their shoulder at what is shaping up to be a tight relegation battle.
And they will have a potential Carabao Cup run to look forward to after Christmas too.
It is vital the Hammers have as many of their top players available for this period as possible.
And there looks set to be an absolutely huge £98.5m triple boost for Moyes ahead of West Ham’s crossroads clash with Crystal Palace.
After welcoming back Craig Dawson at the weekend, sources inside the club and the manager himself have suggested West Ham could have another three key stars available to face Palace.
Because record £51m signing Lucas Paqueta, £17.5m summer arrival Maxwel Cornet and £30m central defensive acquisition Nayef Aguerd could all be in contention to play against Vieira’s side.
As reported by Hammers News yesterday, there looks to be good news on Brazil star Paqueta after Moyes confirmed at the weekend he would be back this week following a lay-off with a collarbone injury.
And according to inside sources at West Ham speaking to Claret and Hugh, Cornet and Aguerd could also face the Eagles.
Ivory Coast star Cornet has been out with a calf strain since the win over Wolves but could be back for the game.
Aguerd, who looked supreme on his long-awaited return from a serious ankle injury last week, could also be used if Moyes deems it safe to do so.
The Scot had suggested he may not be able to use the defender in Premier League games before he heads to the World Cup with Morocco. But Aguerd looked so good in his return against Silkeborg that it will be a consideration.
Having those three involved will be massive for West Ham against a dangerous Crystal Palace side.
It is £98.5m worth of talent and as anyone watching the defeat at Old Trafford will know, the Hammers have been sorely lacking some pace and X factor.
MORE WEST HAM NEWS
Neville says Moyes must get with the times over West Ham tactics.
West Ham coach says Man United were ‘bang average’ and hails Rice.
West Ham-supporting Telegraph journalist nails it on broken record Moyes.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
