Declan Rice sent home by West Ham United as decision made on trio v Manchester City
West Ham were forced to send three players home just hours before their match with Manchester City on Wednesday (3 April), according to BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone.
Midfielders Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek and defender Nayef Aguerd were all forced to return home due to a stomach bug.
The Hammers take on Pep Guardiola’s outfit in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium looking to climb further away from the relegation zone.
Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek and Nayef Aguerd all missing for West Ham tonight with a sickness bug,” Stone posted on Twitter. “David Moyes only names five outfield subs.”
Stone quickly added: “Rice, Soucek and Aguerd sent home ill this afternoon.”
Disastrous news
Rice, Soucek and Aguerd have been three of the club’s most important players this season, with their absences set to have a huge impact on the Hammers for their clash with Manchester City.
Rice and Soucek have formed a strong partnership in defensive midfield in recent times, with Aguerd proving to be a very solid and reliable defender just behind them.
The task was hard enough for West Ham as their opponents aim to take top spot off league leaders Arsenal once more, but it has been made near-impossible without their star trio.
Their absence is not only felt in the starting XI but also on the sidelines, with David Moyes naming just seven players on his bench, two of which are goalkeepers.
The Hammers will still be keen to put in a huge shift in their ongoing fight for Premier League safety, but it looks like those in claret and blue will be very short of confidence given how important the three absentees are, particularly club captain Rice.