El Hadji Malick Diouf will be in line to make his first West Ham United appearance in over a month on Saturday.
Diouf is available for West Ham’s game against Sunderland after winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal in controversial fashion.
The West Ham star bolsters the defensive ranks ahead of a huge game against the Black Cats as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to cut the gap to safety to just two points.
If Malick Diouf said this to your face – what would you say back? 😂
Not sure many would agree…
Since joining the club from Slavia Prague, Diouf has established himself as a key player at West Ham.
Still, his form has tailed off recently, and Nuno talked up Ollie Scarles and Ezra Mayers ahead of Saturday’s clash with Sunderland.
Nuno praises Ollie Scarles and Ezra Mayers as Malick Diouf returns
Diouf is in contention to return to the West Ham fold on Saturday afternoon.
Still, he may not have it all his own way.
Indeed, before the game, Nuno was quick to remind people that both Scarles and Mayers had impressed.
Scarles has responded to his West Ham critics well in recent weeks following a mistake against Fulham, while Mayers impressed against QPR in the FA Cup.
How much money would it take for you to sell Lucas Paqueta? 🤔
Nuno said (via The Athletic): “Ollie is doing well and Ezra (Mayers) also stepped in some games and is another option.
“Malick returns tomorrow, we still have to assess him and see how he comes. He’ll be happy to be back.
“After (the loss against) Fulham, Ollie’s response was amazing. It’s been good to see (him show mental toughness from that match), especially with the reception that he had from our fans. It helped a lot and has given him belief.”
Nuno should stick with Ollie Scarles against Sunderland
Having Diouf back is obviously a huge boost for the club. They need all hands on deck in the second half of the campaign if they are to pull themselves out of the relegation zone.
However, Scarles has done little to warrant being dropped in recent games. He’s recovered well from that Fulham game and it was his cross that led to Callum Wilson’s late winner.
Scarles is in good form for West Ham and it’s important to remember that, as well as the development that Mayers has shown.
For all the talk of West Ham needing to rebalance their squad during what remains of the January transfer window, Nuno does have options at left back.
For now, however, he should stick with Scarles.
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