West Ham duo will have their hands full with giant striker Paul Onuachu as Genk man looks to prove David Moyes wrong

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West Ham United will have their hands full dealing with giant Genk striker Paul Onuachu as he looks to prove David Moyes wrong.

The Hammers entertain Genk at the London Stadium in what should be their easiest game of Europa League Group H – on paper at least.

West Ham’s perfect six-point start to the competition has been so good they have been installed as favourites to win it.

History shows Moyes’s side need two more wins – with Genk their opposition twice in a row – to all but secure their place as group winners and a spot in the last 16.

But football isn’t played on paper and the reality is, regardless of how poorly Genk are doing of late, they possess a potent, giant and highly motivated striker in the shape of Onuachu.

West Ham were heavily linked with huge 6ft 7in Nigerian forward during the summer window.

But in the end Moyes elected not to sign the 27-year-old, or indeed any striker, saying the players he wanted were not available (Independent).

West Ham duo have hands full with giant striker Onuachu as Genk man looks to prove Moyes wrong

That has left West Ham relying on the fitness of injury-prone Michail Antonio as the club’s only legitimate striker option.

After snubbing Onuachu – who was ready to sign for the Hammers according to All Nigeria Soccer – West Ham were ironically paired with his club Genk in the Europa League.

Onuachu scored 35 goals last season and was said to be available for around £18m.

And while Genk have struggled of late, Onuachu has carried on where he left off last season – scoring 10 goals in 10 games so far.

And he got a last minute winner for Genk against Rapid Wien.

Ultimately – according to reports – Moyes deemed the striker was either not good enough or not the right fit for West Ham.

As if that was not motivation enough for Onuachu, he also goes into the game knowing Spanish champions Atletico Madrid are having his every game watched ahead of an expected move in January (Marca).

Moyes will likely charge Craig Dawson and Issa Diop with trying to keep Onuachu in check.

Dawson and Diop are both good in the air and have played well when given the chance so far this season.

What will be key is West Ham limiting free-kicks and corners where Onuachu is understandably a real threat.

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West Ham in line for double Europa boost after blow following Moyes update.

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