West Ham United have issued an update on four stars ahead of the Europa League last 16 tie against Sevilla.
It is somewhat typical of West Ham’s rotten luck with injuries over the years that they go into their biggest game for decades with doubts over their two best players.
Jarrod Bowen and Declan Rice are both doubts for the big Europa League clash on Thursday night.
There has been much speculation about the availability of Bowen and Rice for the game.
Bowen injured his heel in the defeat to Liverpool last time out. And Rice missed that game through illness.
There have been reports that the Sevilla match may come too soon for both which would obviously be a major blow for West Ham and boss David Moyes.
West Ham reassured fans that Bowen had not sustained any significant damage to his heel.
And the Hammers are thought to be giving Rice – who a club insider claims is still feeling unwell – until the last possible moment to see if he will be ok to play.
A decision on that may have to be made today with the Hammers flying out to Spain ahead of the match.
Now West Ham have issued an update on four stars including Bowen and Rice ahead of the Europa League last 16 tie against Sevilla.
West Ham issue update on four stars ahead of Europa League last 16 tie against Sevilla
West Ham are currently without medium to long-term absentees Angelo Ogbonna and Vladimir Coufal.
And in a team news update on the club’s official site, the Hammers stated the current situation regarding Bowen and Rice as well as Andriy Yarmolenko and Arthur Masuaku.
“Moyes and the Claret and Blue Army will be waiting to hear news on Jarrod Bowen’s fitness, after the Hammers’ top scorer in all competitions this season departed the field of play against Liverpool on Saturday after 53 minutes,” West Ham said in a team news update ahead of Sevilla.
“It was confirmed on Sunday that the No20 suffered no significant damage following the injury he picked up at Anfield.
“Having suffered an impact injury to his right heel during a challenge early in the second half at Anfield and, despite attempting to carry on, Bowen had to be substituted five minutes later.
“Head of Medical Richard Collinge said: “Jarrod underwent an MRI scan in London on Sunday morning and thankfully no significant injury has occurred. He will continue to be monitored by the medical team and will undergo further examination in the coming days”.
“Declan Rice was the other absentee from the side who faced Liverpool, missing the match through illness, and Moyes will be hoping his vice-captain has recovered in time to face Sevilla.
“Elsewhere, Vladimír Coufal underwent surgery on a groin injury two weeks ago, while Angelo Ogbonna continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Arthur Masuaku’s knee problem continues to be managed, too.
“Andriy Yarmolenko was recently granted compassionate leave in the midst of the crisis engulfing his home country of Ukraine and returned to training last week, but it has not been confirmed whether he will be involved on Thursday evening.”