Clive Tyldesley has confirmed the severity of the issue behind the shock West Ham absence of Alphonse Areola at Spurs.
When the team news was announced for West Ham’s big derby clash at Spurs there was dismay among fans.
Against Crystal Palace at the weekend, there was surprise when West Ham captain Kurt Zouma was withdrawn without explanation.
It later emerged his house had been raided by armed burglars.
There is no love lost between West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur so Hammers fans will be desperate to put on a show with their strongest possible team.
Tyldesley confirms severity of issue behind shock Areola absence
Especially in light of Spurs’ injury crisis.
But supporters were understandably concerned when news filtered through that number one goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was not in the squad for the Tottenham game.
Now Clive Tyldesley has confirmed the severity of the issue behind the shock West Ham absence of Areola at Spurs.
The Frenchman has injured his wrist. But there will be relief for West Ham fans – and David Moyes – because Tyldesley says it is only ‘minor’.
Relief for Moyes and fans
“Alphonse Areola is missing from the West Ham Premier League line-up for the first time this season,” Tyldesley announced on Amazon Prime TV.
“He has a minor wrist injury…
“It was a big decision in the summer when David Moyes decided he (Areola) was gong to be his number one.
“But if you’ve got to lose your goalkeeper, they have a very able deputy in Lukasz Fabianski.”
That they do.
But West Ham’s squad depth beyond that in the goalkeeping department is not huge. Most Premier League clubs have three senior goalkeepers but the Hammers only have two.
So let’s hope Areola’s injury is only minor as Tyldesley states and he’s back as soon as possible.
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