Issa Diop and Ben Johnson set to be available for West Ham against Eintracht Frankfurt – David Moyes
David Moyes gave positive news on the fitness of key West Ham defenders ahead of the Europa League semi-final second leg clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Scot says Ben Johnson is ready to return after a thigh strain kept him out of the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal, whilst Issa Diop has overcome an ankle problem which kept him out of the first leg at the London Stadium.
The Irons trail 2-1 from last week’s encounter and the return of the defensive duo gives Moyes a welcome boost as he looks to mastermind a comeback on Thursday night.
” Johnson had a thigh strain but seems to be okay,” quoted The Athletic correspondent Roshane Thomas (4 May).
“Diop had a problem with his ankle but has made an incredible recovery. Is he a hundred per cent?
“Maybe not but we’re at the stage of the season where we need to take one or two risks in getting him back in the squad.”
Now or Never
Moyes is right with his last sentence that it really is Europa League or bust for West Ham now in terms of making this season another memorable one.
League form has dipped during the Hammers Europa League run, understandably so as much of the playing squad enter uncharted territory in their careers, but it now means qualification for the same competition they are storming through at present now looks unlikely.
A Europa Conference League spot is still on the cards but given the upwards trajectory Moyes has overseen most eyes will be looking at Europa League glory and a route into next season’s Champions League.
They’ll have to be a lot more defensively solid to reach the final in Seville than they were in the first leg, conceding after 30 seconds when Ansgar Knauff snuck in at the back post to nod home an opener that shocked the London Stadium.
Johnson and Diop’s return is timely to say the least and gives Moyes a few aces up his sleeves as he looks to write himself into club folklore.
In other West Ham news, a fan has been hospitalised after alleged Frankfurt ‘ultras’ assaulted a supporters group in Germany.
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