Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how West Ham United could line up for Monday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United.
West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui is facing a couple of critical decisions for Monday’s Premier League fixture with Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
The Irons head north without the services of Mohammed Kudus (suspended) or Niclas Fullkrug (calf), and Lopetegui also revealed in his pre-game press conference that two other unnamed players were doubtful with minor issues.
While the identity of those players remains a mystery, Alphonse Areola was not involved in the goalless draw with Everton before the international break due to a reported knock, which allowed Lukasz Fabianski to start and keep a clean sheet.
Lopetegui has affirmed that Areola is “working well”, but he may see no reason to demote Fabianski following his shut-out two weekends ago, as the ex-Arsenal man lines up in front of an unchanged backline of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean-Clair Todibo, Max Kilman and Emerson Palmieri.
The visitors have Edson Alvarez back in their ranks following a ban of his own, so the Mexican could come in for Guido Rodriguez in the deepest midfield position, joining Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta in the central roles.
With Kudus still serving his elongated punishment, Crysencio Summerville should be given the nod on the left-hand side of the West Ham attack, which will also comprise Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio.
The latter two experienced vastly different international breaks; Bowen scored with his first touch in England’s 5-0 win over the Republic of Ireland, while Antonio missed Jamaica’s CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final defeat to the USA after losing his passport.
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez; Bowen, Paqueta, Soucek, Summerville; Antonio
> Click here to see how Newcastle could line up for this match
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