West Ham believe the Premier League has got it all wrong over Edson Alvarez being available for the tough trip to Newcastle United.
The Hammers take on Eddie Howe’s in-form Newcastle in the Premier League on Monday night.
There is a lot riding on the game given speculation that abounds about manager Julen Lopetegui.
West Ham’s owners have stood firmly behind the Spaniard despite a torrid start to life in east London.
The Hammers hierarchy have spoken out in support of Lopetegui on several occasions.
Albeit while acknowledging performances and results must improve.
A plethora of managers have been linked as potential replacements for Lopetegui should West Ham wield the axe.
Reports have claimed they could do just that if West Ham suffer defeats to Newcastle and Arsenal.
Going to St James’s Park under the lights is never easy.
Especially as Howe’s side go into the game off the back of three consecutive wins, two of them against Arsenal and Chelsea.
As a result many believe Lopetegui may be on his last legs.
So the 58-year-old needs as many of his top stars available to help him stay in the job.
West Ham ask Premier League to clarify Alvarez situation
West Ham are already without star player Mohammed Kudus at Newcastle.
The Ghanaian serves the fourth of his five-match ban.
And overnight there was utter confusion about the availability of another key Hammers star for the trip to Tyneside.
Now West Ham have asked the Premier League to urgently clarify the Edson Alvarez situation for Newcastle.
West Ham had looked set to be boosted by the return of the Mexican for the Newcastle clash.
Alvarez was sent off in the 3-0 defeat at Forest back on November 2nd for two yellow cards.
He was forced to sit out the draw with Everton before the international break due to suspension.
Because Alvarez received two bookings against Forest he would normally be suspended for one game as a result.
There had been rumours that Alvarez would be forced to sit out two games as it was his second red of the season.
But bizarrely the Premier League’s own official website stated Alvarez is not suspended for the match.
Hammers adamant Alvarez is banned for Newcastle clash
In its league-wide suspension round-up, the top flight’s website stated in it’s “Available for selection” section that Alvarez was not suspended for Newcastle.
“West Ham’s Edson Alvarez, also sent off for two bookable offences, could make his return in the game at Newcastle,” the site stated.
Hammers News has spoken to the club about the confusing issue.
And West Ham have contacted the Premier League asking them to urgently update their website because they believe he is in fact suspended.
“A club representative was in contact with the Premier League to get the website changed,” a club spokesman told Hammers News ahead of Newcastle.
“But Edson has a two-match suspension.
“I believe there is some confusion with the fact that yellow cards contributing to a suspension are competition-specific.”
Well at least West Ham know what they are doing as it appears the Premier League don’t.
Alvarez may be woefully out of form this year. But on his day he’s still a much-needed player in midfield.
This makes Lopetegui’s task all the more difficult.
It’s likely to mean Guido Rodriguez and Tomas Soucek will definitely start in central midfield.
The big call for the manager to make then comes down to whether he starts Carlos Soler instead of Lucas Paqueta – who is a doubt for the game.
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