Julen Lopetegui looks set to make two big changes for West Ham’s big make-or-break Premier League clash at Newcastle.
Confusion has surrounded the availability of West Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez ahead of the Premier League match against Newcastle.
West Ham confirmed they contacted the league about Alvarez today for urgent clarification over Alvarez’s status ahead of the game at Newcastle.
The Hammers are certain Alvarez is suspended for the match.
But the Premier League stated on its official website the Mexican is free to play.
West Ham are adamant Alvarez would not be eligible, though, so he will be missing again after being banned for the game against Everton last time out too.
Mohammed Kudus, arguably West Ham’s best player, will also be missing at St James’s Park.
Kudus will serve the fourth of his extended five-match ban after flooring three Spurs players.
In a boost for the Hammers, key Magpies defender Dan Burn is out through suspension too.
Star gets deserved first start for West Ham at Newcastle?
The game is potentially huge for Julen Lopetegui.
West Ham’s head coach could be sacked is he oversees a heavy defeat against Eddie Howe’s in-form Newcastle.
A report claimed ahead of the game that Lopetegui will be axed if the Hammers lose to both Newcastle and Arsenal this Saturday.
Given the form of the respective teams – Newcastle have won three on the bounce, beating Forest, Arsenal and Chelsea – the reality is this may be the 58-year-old’s final West Ham team selection.
So the ex Wolves boss needs to make sure he gets it right.
We predict one star gets a deserved first start as Lopetegui makes two West Ham changes for Newcastle.
Lopetegui makes two West Ham changes for crunch clash
Danny Ings has been turning heads with superb performances in West Ham training.
Ings has not started a single league game under Lopetegui.
That’s despite Niclas Fullkrug being out for nearly three months and Michail Antonio only scoring once in 11 games.
It’s been harsh on Ings, who has impressed Hammers fans with his attitude and play when coming on in cameo sub appearances.
The 32-year-old striker made both goals in the win over Man United.
He grabbed an excellent equaliser for a point at Fulham.
And he was the man of the match when he came on in the second half against Everton.
Ings nearly won the game for West Ham but for heroics from Jordan Pickford.
He will be change number one, coming in for Antonio up front.
Ings and Soler in for Antonio and Paqueta?
The other change will see Lucas Paqueta, who is an injury doubt with a niggle, replaced by Spaniard Carlos Soler.
Like Ings, on loan PSG star Soler has been playing well in training.
It’s another thing doing it in the Premier League when it matters most, though.
Lopetegui is set to put his faith in the man he pushed to sign on a season-long loan.
Thus far Soler has looked lightweight.
But a big performance against Newcastle could change everything for him and his manager.
Newcastle have beaten West Ham 60 times in fixtures between the two clubs.
The Hammers have won 43 and there have been 41 draws.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Newcastle:
Fabianski, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson, Soucek, Rodriguez, Soler, Summerville, Bowen, Ings.
The official team will be announced at 6.45pm.
Newcastle vs West Ham is live on Sky Sports, 8pm kick-off.
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