Confirmed line-up: Big surprise as David Moyes goes on the attack by dropping James Ward-Prowse for Freiburg

The official team news is in as David Moyes names his West Ham team for Freiburg and James Ward-Prowse is dropped.

Many West Ham fans have questioned the contribution of James Ward-Prowse of late.

After a flying start to life at West Ham, the set piece specialist has been less effective in recent times.

David Moyes was irked ahead of the crunch Europa League last 16 second leg with Freiburg.

That was after a reporter suggested to him he must get more attacking players such as Michail Antonio into the side.

Well that’s exactly what the manager has done.

Moyes makes four West Ham changes for Freiburg

The confirmed line-up has been announced.

And there’s a big surprise as Moyes goes on the attack by dropping Ward-Prowse for Freiburg.

In comes Antonio as one of four changes from the West Ham side which started against Burnley last time out.

Lukasz Fabianski replaces Alphonse Areola in goal as expected.

Although we’re not ruling out Areola being a controversial super sub if it goes to penalties.

Kurt Zouma comes back in for Nayef Aguerd.

Aaron Cresswell keeps his place with Emerson not fit enough.

Edson Alvarez is in for Kalvin Phillips.

And West Ham forward Antonio comes in for Ward-Prowse.

That means West Ham will have Antonio, Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus in the same starting XI for the must-win game.

West Ham must beat Freiburg by two clear goals to avoid penalties at the London Stadium.

There are five academy players on the bench alongside Areola, Ward-Prowse, Kalvin Phillips, Nayef Aguerd, Danny Ings, Ben Johnson and Angelo Ogbonna.

Fabianski, Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma, Cresswell, Alvarez, Soucek, Paqueta, Bowen, Kudus, Antonio.

Your Hammers for tonight’s massive European clash 👊 pic.twitter.com/N0T36vbaC1
— West Ham United (@WestHam) March 14, 2024

View Tweet