West Ham star Tomas Soucek has confirmed his absence for the Leeds clash at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
David Moyes has been hit by injuries and Covid cases in recent weeks.
And he was missing one of his star players Soucek for the 2-0 win over Norwich in midweek.
Captain Mark Noble was also missing with a suspected knee injury.
When asked whether he would have either of the midfielders back for the game against Leeds, West Ham boss Moyes played his cards close to his chest in his pre-match press conference.
“I don’t want to be specific on who has COVID and who is injured but those two were out and we are hoping we might get one of them back (for Leeds) but I am not saying who,” Moyes said in his West Ham presser (Football.London).
West Ham star Tomas Soucek confirms absence for Leeds clash
“We might get one of them back and we also have some niggles which we picked up from the game. We’ve also got some other players who have has COVID as well. So we’re trying to work around it like every other club at the moment. It’s difficult but we’ve injuries and COVID like all clubs have.”
Well there is bad news for West Ham and Moyes ahead of the Leeds clash after Soucek confirmed he will miss the game.
Speaking in a message on Twitter, Soucek said he would be supporting his West Ham teammates from home.
“Huge support from home!!! Let’s go West Ham!” Soucek said on Twitter.
That will mean Soucek’s midfield partner Declan Rice will be required to do more screening than usual against Leeds.
Rice was needed to provide cover for the back four on several occasions against Norwich.
And Leeds are a much better side than the Canaries. So without Soucek West Ham will have to be extra disciplined.
It means Pablo Fornals will get another start in a central role too after impressing last time out.
Both Rice and Fornals have been the subject of stories ahead of the game.
Harry Redknapp has made a big claim about Rice’s future.
And Fornals has explained why he suffered a sudden drop off in form over the last couple of months.