David Moyes has confirmed Jesse
Lingard is available for West Ham’s crunch match with Chelsea but Aaron
Cresswell, Michail Antonio and Arthur Masuaku remain injury doubts for the
derby.
Lingard was forced off with a cramp
after netting an equaliser for the Hammers in the side’s dramatic 3-2 defeat to
Newcastle at St James’ Park last weekend.
But the 28-year-old, who has been
in sensational form since his January loan switch from Manchester United, has
made a speedy recovery and has been training as normal in recent days.
He will hope to continue his resurgence
in Saturday’s high-stakes game versus top-four rivals Chelsea at the London
Stadium, with Champions League qualification now a realistic target for Moyes
and co.
‘We are very much the same as we
were last week, one or two close to fitness but I am not sure they will make it
or not,’
Moyes told reporters at his
pre-match press conference on Friday.
‘Lingard had cramp, he is fine.
‘Hopeful Micky [Antonio] can get
back in amongst it and Cresswell, Arthur Masuaku too. ‘Cresswell is getting
closer, we will monitor it and see how he feels tomorrow.
‘It is part of the job. To be fair
we have done well with some players out.’
Lingard’s contribution has been
key to West Ham’s success in recent matches, with the England international
notching up nine goals and three assists in the top flight since his temporary
move from Old Trafford.
But Joe Willock’s last-gasp winner
at Newcastle meant the club missed out on the chance to go third in the table.
Victory over fourth-placed Chelsea
– who sit above them on goal difference – will bring with it renewed hope of a
securing a top-four finish.
Declan Rice is said to be ahead of schedule with his recovery from a knee injury but will not be available for selection this weekend. The Hammers are also without Craig Dawson following the defender’s sending off at St James’ Park.
Moyes’ opponent on the touchline,
Thomas Tuchel, has lost just once in the Premier League since taking over the
reins from Frank Lampard back in January.
‘He has done unbelievably well,’
the West Ham boss said.
‘He is a very experienced manager,
to manage Dortmund and PSG you have to have very good qualities to manage at
that level.
‘I do think Chelsea have got one
of the strongest squads in the Premier League.
Moyes went on: ‘I thought Frank
Lampard had brought together a good squad of players and he was on the verge,
so he was a little but unlucky.
‘But Thomas Tuchel has come in and
shown experience.’
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