WE CAN END XABI’S SPREE
Moyes bullish about ‘great challenge’ facing Hammers
DAVID MOYES sized up West Ham’s chances of puncturing the longest unbeaten run in Europe and shrugged: “It’s a great opportunity.”
The Hammers are without top scorer Jarrod Bowen for tonight’s Europa League quarter-final first leg at Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen after the England forward sustained a “fast bowler’s injury” last Saturday.
Kalvin Phillips, who is struggling to win over the fans in an accident-prone loan spell from Manchester City, will be missing too after picking up a late hamstring tweak in training.
And Edson Alvarez’s ban will place an even higher premium on Lucas Paqueta to pull more rabbits from his top hat. City are aware the Brazilian magician’s £85million release clause kicks in this summer, and the Treble-chasers regard him as the likeliest replacement if Bernardo Silva opts to leave the Etihad.
“It’s all speculation,” said head coach Moyes before underlining Paqueta’s influence as the playmaker who adds fantasy in the same way that Dimitri Payet and Paolo Di Canio once did in the East End.
“He’s a hugely important part of the side. He can bring attributes to the game which are really important to us.
“He can make you pull your hair out at times but overall he’s a pleasure to work with.”
Moyes does not fear Leverkusen’s invincibles and feels his side have a genuine chance of reaching their third European semifinal in as many seasons. He said: “I see it as a great opportunity.The challenge of beating a team who are 16 points clear in the Bundesliga is a big one, but hopefully we can rise to it and perform well.
“We have grown as a club in Europe.”
Bowen’s 19 goals in all competitions will take some replacing, though.
Moyes added: “We’re not sure how long he’ll be out.
“I am told that when he got a knee in his back at Wolves, he has twisted and probably damaged something – similar to a fast bowler’s injury in cricket.”
LEVERKUSEN (probable): Kovar; Kossounou, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Hlozek; Iglesias.
WEST HAM (probable): Fabianski; Zouma, Mavropanos, Cresswell; Coufal, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Emerson; Kudus, Paqueta; Antonio.