West Ham United predicted XI vs QPR: Tomas Soucek back as defender dropped in double change

West Ham United welcome back English football from the extended international break on Friday.

The Hammers entertain Queens Park Rangers on 9 October at the London Stadium after three weeks away.

Nuno Espirito Santo will want a positive result after the 2-2 draw at Millwall which came just before the break.

West Ham currently sit second in the Championship after eight games, with 15 points to show for their efforts.

As the games come thick and fast before the November break, they need to keep stringing together wins.

The return of key stars like Tomas Soucek will only help that, too.

Defensive change is coming for West Ham?

Mads Hermansen started the break with Denmark on the bench.

After missing out on the first two fixtures, he started the final couple of Nations League games and should keep his spot on Friday.

Morato has shined at left-back since signing on loan from Nottingham Forest, and should keep his spot again.

Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos could start together again, despite the latter having a small injury scare with Greece.

Finishing off the back four could be Joel Veltman, if he used the extended break to recover from injury fully.

Kyle Walker-Peters should drop out after disappointing and being subbed at the break against Millwall.

Should Tomas Soucek start?

After so long out, it would be a surprise if Nuno backed the Czechia star.

Returning to training at Rush Green during the break, he should be available to use from the bench if needed.

Declan Rice once admitted he loved playing with Soucek, so having someone of that quality back in the squad is amazing for Nuno and Co.

That means Arne Engels and Divine Mukasa should continue in midfield, with their attacking work through the middle impressive so far.

Jarrod Bowen has rested up well after missing the England squad, while Manor Solomon was embroiled in controversy during the break with Israel.

Edvin Austbo could replace the latter, who shouldn't be thrown straight back into the deep end after the dramatic break.

Who is Nuno's preferred striker partnership?

Taty Castellanos is guaranteed to start every week when fit, that's just how it will be at the London Stadium.

Joel Piroe has been preferred alongside him for his poaching instincts, with Pablo not exactly prolific.

The Portuguese striker does have his first goal for the Irons, but he will likely come off the bench later on if needed.

West Ham predicted XI vs QPR: Hermansen, Veltman, Mavropanos, Kilman, Morato, Engels, Mukasa, Bowen, Austbo, Piroe, Castellanos