West Ham United defender Harrison Ashby doubt for Silkeborg clash
West Ham United could be without young defender Harrison Ashby for their visit to Silkeborg tonight, according to Claret and Hugh.
The 20-year-old has flown to Denmark with David Moyes’ squad for the Europa Conference League tie and could have been in line for an appearance before this news.
Claret and Hugh believe that he has sustained a slight injury that forced him out of training yesterday and that could mean he plays no part this evening.
Towards the end of the transfer window, Ashby was attracting the eyes of Newcastle United and Leeds United with the Magpies thought to be the leaders of the race for his signature [ExWHUEmployee].
But he opted to stay put at the London Stadium with first-team involvement improving which has seen him earn a place on the plane to Denmark for the second group stage fixture.
No risk
With Silkeborg playing on an artificial pitch, the possibility for injuries is greatly increased for the Irons players this evening and having already secured one win against Steaua Bucharest, there is no reason to take risks.
If there is any doubt of the fitness of Ashby, or any player for that matter, then Moyes should not be starting them at all unless there really is no other alternative.
Even someone like Michail Antonio and Kurt Zouma, who are both known to be just around the corner from some kind of injury, should be rested if possible to not risk such important players in a relatively insignificant game.
This is a wonderful chance for experimentation and expression for Moyes and his team with three points already secured in the group and West Ham firm favourites to qualify as group winners.
Ashby does need minutes to develop but they should not come in a game where he is not entirely fit to perform.