Moyes’ Bowen boost for Bundesliga’s best
JARROD Bowen looks set to be fit for West Ham’s bid for an unlikely Europa League comeback against new Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
The Hammers’ 19-goal top scorer, pictured, missed the 2-0 quarter-final first-leg defeat in Germany, and Sunday’s Premier League loss at home to Fulham, with a hip injury.
But Bowen took part in training at West Ham’s Rush Green HQ on Wednesday morning and hopes are high that he will be available against Leverkusen on Thursday night.
Manager David Moyes said: “It was great to see Jarrod out there.
“We’re not sure yet. I would never risk a player if I thought they were injured but you always want your best players back in, your goalscorers as well, and Jarrod has been that this season.”
The news is a major boost to the Hammers as they attempt to inflict a first defeat of the season on Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen.
But they will be without key Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta through suspension after he was booked in Germany. “Most people know exactly what Jarrod has done for us over the season and others. It would give us and the crowd a real lift,” said Moyes.
“We’ve lost Lucas through suspension, and had Jarrod out through injury. We have to find ways of making magic happen.”
Moyes admitted he hoped the Leverkusen players might have indulged in a few too many steins of German beer.
But Leverkusen chief Xabi Alonso revealed: “A few of them, probably. But not too many. We had control.
“For sure it was a moment to enjoy it. On Sunday we took one day to enjoy it.
“But from Tuesday our mind has been focused on West Ham. Now it’s the Europa League and we have a great chance to make a great season even better.” ■ Middlesbrough full-back Isaiah Jones has signed a new three-year contract.
The 24-year-old joined Boro from non-league side Tooting & Mitcham in 2019. He made his league debut for the Teessiders in August 2021 after loan spells with St Johnstone and Queen of the South and has made 108 Championship appearances, scoring 10 goals.
Michael Carrick's side are eight points off the play-offs.