Why Edson Alvarez could be unleashed vs QPR amid latest West Ham post
Edson Alvarez could be back involved for West Ham United upon their return to action against Queens Park Rangers.
The Mexico international has been used just once in all competitions by Nuno Espirito Santo this season.
That came in West Ham's first game of the season against Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup.
Two months on from that and it is fair to say Alvarez has become a bit of a forgotten figure around Rush Green.
However, reports emerged this week that Alvarez is set for another chance at West Ham in a surprise U-turn by Nuno.
And the midfielder himself has now posted an image on social media to suggest he is ready to take that opportunity.
What image did Edson Alvarez post?
Alvarez has also not been called up by Mexico this window, so he will no doubt be raring to go.
On the back of the reports he will be used in a behind-closed-doors friendly this week, he posted an image on Instagram of himself wearing boots.
While that alone may not mean much, it is hard not to read between the lines and come to the conclusion that match has already taken place.
Assuming Alvarez came through it unscathed, he could now be ready for inclusion against QPR a week on Friday.
Could Alvarez still leave West Ham in January?
Alvarez was linked with countless teams in the summer window and was widely expected to depart after West Ham's relegation.
Talk of a move away has gone a little quieter of late, but that is not to say rumours will not pick back up towards January.
Ultimately, though, teams have to be willing to hand over however much the Irons value Alvarez.
He will not be allowed to leave on the cheap, so it may be that the best solution is to use him to get West Ham to the Premier League and then re-evaluate the situation come next summer.
What we do know is Alvarez is too good a player for the Championship to just be rotting away unused.