Early West Ham team news v Lyon: Issa Diop and Ben Johnson to start amid double blow
Issa Diop and Ben Johnson are expected to start for West Ham on Thursday night when they take on Lyon in the Europa League, according to The Mirror.
David Moyes’ men will head to France this week without two key players as they aim to book their spot in the semi-finals after drawing the first leg at the London Stadium 1-1.
The Mirror reported via their print edition today [13 April, page 63] that Zouma, 27, is out with an ankle injury while Cresswell, 32, is suspended following his controversial red card in the first leg of the quarter-final showdown.
It is understood that Diop, 25, is in line to make his 21st start of the season while Johnson, 22, is expected to replace Cresswell and return to the starting line-up after a three-match absense.
Unfortunate
West Ham’s chances of reaching the Europa League semi-finals have taken a blow off the back of this update.
We all knew that Cresswell would be ruled out after his ridiculous sending off in the first leg in East London but Zouma’s absense is a crushing blow.
Diop’s a player who doesn’t fill us with confidence.
The Hammers’ fringe player, who wouldn’t normally play if Dawson, Angelo Ogbonna and Zouma are all fit, has good days and he has bad days. Unfortunately, the latter are more common for the Frenchman who was once dubbed a “monster” by Jose Mourinho.
Craig Dawson is the man who we’re going to be counting on to keep the defence tight against a strong Lyon side but we’re still hopeful of Diop rolling up his socks and putting in a solid shift.
Cresswell’s absense is also a massive shame but we have faith in Johnson to be able to impress too.
Come on you Irons.
In other West Ham news, Alan Brazil has mooted the Irons completing a “shock” swoop to sign a striker who Moyes knows.
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