Early West Ham vs Southampton team news round-up as 50/50 call awaits

West Ham United take on Southampton in a massive Championship showdown on Saturday.

The Hammers come into this game with the chance to go top of the division after beating league leaders Swansea City last time out.

The Irons beat the Swans 1-0 to rise above Middlesbrough and into second place on goal difference, in what was potentially their best win of the season yet.

However, Southampton's position of seventh in the Championship may be somewhat overlooked, as Tonda Eckert's side started the season on minus four points after the Spygate scandal last campaign.

Unlike Nuno Espirito Santo's side, the Saints don't have the best away form and have only won once on their travels this season.

The showdown will be an important game in the context of the Championship, but what are the latest injury updates regarding West Ham and Southampton players?

West Ham's early team news ahead of Southampton

West Ham are arguably blessed that they have a squad packed with depth and quality, though some players have been missing out for personal reasons.

The Hammers haven't had too many injury issues to worry about so far this season, and were recently boosted by the return of Tomas Soucek.

There have been some questions raised around Adama Boiro and whether the West Ham loan man is injured, but it's understood that he hasn't been included in matchday squads purely for selection reasons.

There are other players like Maxwel Cornet, Soungoutou Magassa and Edson Alvarez who are all fit, but are not in Nuno's plans, as the doors look open for the trio to leave in the January window.

The only fitness issue that Nuno currently has is Keiber Lamadrid, who is unlikely to feature against Southampton.

But what about the visitors?

West Ham to keep eye on key Southampton duo as fitness concerns

Flynn Downes was forced off with suspected ankle ligament damage in the 22nd minute of Southampton's 1-0 win over Norwich City on 14 October.

The central midfielder missed his side's 0-0 draw with Bolton on Saturday and is a "major doubt" to play against West Ham, as per the Southern Daily Echo.

Eckert also confirmed that Cyle Larin, who has scored seven Championship goals already, will be assessed ahead of a trip to E20 after the striker was forced off before half-time after picking up a hamstring issue against Bolton.

One Soccer described Larin as "remarkable" after his impact for Canada at the World Cup in the summer, as he's carried his form over into the start of the Championship season.

It looks like Eckert has a 50/50 decision to make on the centre-forward.

He's one player that West Ham will certainly be hoping misses the game.