There may very well be a West Ham debut during Tuesday’s Premier League clash with Michael Carrick’s Manchester United, with Nuno Espirito Santo setting nerves-a-jangling with his pre-match comments.
Nuno confirmed that the Hammers ‘have some players out’ as the Red Devils arrive at the London Stadium.
Now, the head coach stopped at naming names. Arguably not the most sensible decision, given that the following 24 hours has sparked considerable speculation about who might have picked up a knock during Saturday’s 2-0 win at Burnley.
Who would YOU start if Pablo is injured? 🤕
Callum Wilson again? Fernandes at 10? A Keiber Lamadrid debut?
It has been confirmed, by Venezuelan reporter Elias Lopez, that new signing Keiber Lamadrid will be in the squad for the first time since joining West Ham United from Deportivo la Guaira last month.
Inevitably, a rumoured call-up for West Ham’s number 21 has sparked concerns about the potential unavailability of star duo Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville.
The good news is that, on their official X page, Bowen and Summerville were featured heavily on West Ham’s pre-match graphics. In contrast, there appeared to be no sign of Adama Traore in the training pictures, while Pablo Felipe was spotted walking with a limp in Lancashire.
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Pablo Felipe is a doubt as West Ham United dispel Crysencio Summerville concerns
Pablo and Traore made cameo appearances off the bench at Turf Moor.
Club insider ExWHUEmployee has indicated that Pablo, the £18 million signing from Gil Vicente, is a doubt as two of the Premier League’s in-form sides go head to head. A number of late fitness tests will also be carried out, while Lamadrid is indeed expected to be among the substitutes.
Interestingly, Nuno’s comments are rumoured to have made West Ham’s injury concerns seem more dramatic than they really are, sparking unnecessary fears among a fanbase fearing the worst.
“Pablo was limping,” one TalkingPoint user pointed out on our official Facebook page.
“Obviously Pablo is one [who has picked up an injury], after limping off,” another says. “Bowen is looking a bit tired due to him being one of the only workhorses for most of the season.”
“Definitely Pablo. Hoping it’s not Cry as well.”
“Pablo was limping, but could be mind games from Nuno!”
Here’s my hot take….
Doing a great job at Old Trafford – but there’s no way he’d have been a better fit to get us out of this mess than Nuno…
Fans hope to see Keiber Lamadrid for the first time as Manchester United arrive
Callum Wilson started for the first time since West Ham lost at Wolves on Saturday, with Pablo dropped from the XI. It remains to be seen whether the veteran poacher keeps his place alongside Taty Castellanos.
Freddie Potts made a big impact against Burnley off the bench. Nuno may be tempted to re-call the 22-year-old in order to beef up his midfield, potentially pushing Mateus Fernandes or Tomas Soucek into a more advanced role.
Keiber Lamadrid scored a stunner on his West Ham debut at Under-21 level last week, meanwhile. His agent insists that the Venezuela international is a ‘first-team’ signing, however, with his appearance for Greg Lincoln’s reserves understood to be an attempt to build up his match fitness ahead of a potential Premier League debut.
Lamadrid’s call-up, plus the dispelling of concerns over Bowen and Summerville, appears to leave Traore’s involvement in doubt.
“I reckon Traore is one of the players injured if Lamadrid is getting a call-up,” another fan suggests.
“Lamadrid is in the squad so I’m guessing Adama is the one not fit.”
“Keiber should play today.”
“I think we could see the likes of Keiber Lamadrid and a few other youngsters travel with the first-team as Nuno revealed West Ham have picked up a few injuries after our crucial win to Burnley just two days ago with not much resting time between games.”
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