Lucas Paqueta return twist emerges at West Ham ahead of Newcastle showdown
West Ham are preparing to face Newcastle United at the London Stadium on Monday.
The Hammers are coming off the back of two wins on the bounce against Leicester City and Arsenal, which has sparked the Graham Potter era into life.
The English head coach is now hoping to make it nine points from a possible nine in the Premier League with the Magpies set to travel to East London.
Life could be made easier for the Irons with the return of various stars after Lucas Paqueta and Vladimir Coufal have missed out in recent weeks.
Paqueta likely to miss West Ham v Newcastle even if fit
The Brazil international is in the middle of a betting scandal for picking up three allegedly deliberate yellow cards across the 2022–23 Premier League season.
As well as this, Paqueta has spent over two weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury which saw him miss the last two wins.
It is a similar story for Coufal who has been absent with a hamstring injury since early February while also being linked with a move away from the London Stadium.
With that being said, former Irons midfielder Martin Allen has suggested that both players could miss out on the clash against Newcastle, even if fit.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, Allen said: “I’m not sure they’ll put Paqueta back in the team. Even if he’s fit, I don’t think he’ll play.
“They’ve just had two wins, the team have been very solid. The players who have played in the last two games, it would be difficult for any manager to sit down and say ‘I’m leaving you out.’
“I don’t think anyone can be left out.
“Coufal, unfortunately, is now past his sell-by date with Scarles coming in, Wan-Bissaka isn’t going to be left out so I can’t see him featuring.“
West Ham to go without Paqueta again
It is fair to say that the former Lyon man is arguably one of the Hammers’ best players but hasn’t necessarily been missed in recent weeks.
His injury has almost allowed Potter to field a more balanced side which was able to defend and counter attack effectively against Arsenal.
It has to be said that his betting scandal will be having an impact on his likelihood of playing regardless of Paqeuta defending his innocence.
| Stat (Premier League 2024/25) | Lucas Paqueta |
| Shots | 35 |
| Successful passes | 719 |
| Chances created | 26 |
| Touches | 1292 |
| Duels won | 128 |
This will come as a blow given how much quality the Brazilian does have and what he can add to the squad at the London Stadium.
It will be interesting now to see if the attacking midfielder does feature against Eddie Howe’s side and if he doesn’t, how that absence has an impact on the performance and result.