Rumours are circulating today that two key West Ham players could be set to miss the big Spurs cup clash this evening.
West Ham play bitter rivals Tottenham in the EFL Carabao Cup quarter-finals after a rare week off due to their Premier League clash with Norwich being called off at the weekend.
Spurs know all about that. Antonio Conte has seen four games called off, three due to Covid and one because of snow.
Last week David Moyes said his West Ham squad had – as yet – been unaffected by covid cases. The Scot acknowledged how quickly that situation could change.
Well on the eve of West Ham’s clash against Tottenham, Moyes has confirmed there are “one or two” positive Covid cases in the camp.
Speculation has been rife among fans and West Ham accounts on social media claiming key players are among those affected – which would mean they miss the Spurs game and face a period of isolation.
Insiders Claret and Hugh were the first to report there was Covid in the West Ham camp earlier this week.
And speculation online has since claimed at least one key player could be impacted.
Moyes is renowned for playing his cards extremely close to his chest when it comes to team news. The Scot is old school in that respect and never wants to give anything away to the opposition. So his comments on the situation are difficult to read much from.
West Ham are already missing defender Vladimir Coufal to suspension for the Spurs clash.
Rumours circulate that two key West Ham players could miss Spurs cup clash
Now rumours – which are as yet completely unsubstantiated – are abound that two more key players will miss the game against Tottenham, forwards Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen.
Speculation is rife in fan forums and on social media that Antonio and Bowen will miss the match although it is not clear – if true – whether it is through injury or due to Covid isolation.
If the growing rumours are accurate then it will come as a huge blow to West Ham’s hopes of making the semi-finals.
West Ham’s form has dropped off a cliff since the November international break and they are facing a Spurs side who looked completely rejuvenated in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the weekend.
Many fans had been calling for Antonio to be dropped due to his lack of form.
The problem is Moyes’s only remotely viable replacement is Bowen – who is also rumoured to be a doubt.
Bowen was pictured in training in images shared on social media by West Ham on Tuesday. So it could be he has picked up a knock if the speculation proves true.
It will all become clear once the teams are announced this evening and it must be stressed these are very much RUMOURS as things stand.
Let’s hope they are proved wrong and Moyes can field his strongest possible team as the Hammers bid to make it to the semis.
More on this as we get it.