New training ground pictures are a blow for West Ham but a big boost for Newcastle ahead of the London Stadium clash on Saturday.
West Ham face a rejuvenated Newcastle at the London Stadium this Saturday.
It is a big game for both teams for very different reasons.
West Ham are desperate for a win in a bid to keep pace with the race for the top four having dropped down to fifth by virtue of Manchester United’s victory over Brighton in midweek.
Newcastle meanwhile are looking to push on in their bid to secure survival after three straight wins made it five Premier League games unbeaten for the Magpies.
West Ham threw away a 1-0 lead but managed to secure a last gasp draw at Leicester in a topsy turvy 2-2 draw last time out.
David Moyes should, more or less, have a fully fit squad available to him bar long-term absentee Angelo Ogbonna and injury doubt Arthur Masuaku when Newcastle come to the London Stadium.
West Ham were boosted by the confirmation that brilliant Newcastle January signing Kieran Trippier will miss the game after fracturing his foot in their 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.
The Hammers were hopeful another key Newcastle star might miss the match too after maverick Allan Saint-Maximin was expected to be a doubt.
Training ground pictures are a blow for West Ham but big boost for Newcastle ahead of London Stadium clash
Saint-Maximin is one of the most exciting players in the Premier League on his day. And he has a good record against West Ham.
But the Frenchman was spotted hobbling for much of the second half of Newcastle’s last match.
Training ground pictures published online today are a blow for West Ham but a boost for Newcastle ahead of the London Stadium clash, though.
Because Saint-Maximin has been pictured training with his teammates ahead of the trip to east London.
Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles was another doubt having missed his side’s last game through illness.
But he too was pictured training ahead of West Ham with the Magpies website confirming he has recovered.
Saint-Maximin’s availability will be a worry for Moyes given the poor form of right-back Vladimir Coufal.
The Czech was torn to ribbons by Harvey Barnes in the draw at Leicester and was substituted.
Now Moyes faces a big decision whether to use Ben Johnson – if available – or Ryan Fredericks to try and shackle the skilful attacker instead.
West Ham have plenty of talent themselves for Newcastle to worry about, though. And Moyes will be hoping they can turn it on like they did in the opening game of the season when the Hammers beat Newcastle 4-2 at St James’s Park.