Jarrod Bowen in line to start for West Ham United v Bayer Leverkusen as ‘surprise’ verdict shared
Jarrod Bowen’s absence would be “a surprise” for the second leg of West Ham versus Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League on Thursday (18 April), considering David Moyes’ lack of attacking options.
That is according to Evening Standard journalist Malik Ouzia (18 April), who believes that the Hammers’ vital goalscorer is set to start the match despite uncertainty over his injury.
Bowen, 27, was absent for last week’s 2-0 defeat in Germany for the first leg and the Premier League defeat to Fulham by the same scoreline on Sunday (14 April) but was spotted in West Ham training on Wednesday.
“The forward has not featured since limping off at Wolves at the start of the month, but given the stakes and Moyes’s paucity of options out wide it would now be a surprise were he not to start,” Ouzia wrote.
Will Jarrod Bowen start in West Ham United v Bayer Leverkusen?
Bowen’s involvement in the European clash could be crucial, whether he is 100 per cent fit or not.
Following the first leg, West Ham must overcome a two-goal deficit in order to advance to the semi-finals of the Europa League.
While that may seem unrealistic, the potential return of their goalscoring hero could add a timely boost to Moyes’ team as they welcome the newly-crowned Bundesliga champions to the London Stadium.
With Emerson Palmieri unavailable, the Hammers’ defence has already been weakened, while Lucas Paqueta’s stupidity in the first leg saw him suspended for the return fixture.
Moyes will now have to depend on his team to perform without the Brazilian’s creative spark, and that will only really be possible if Bowen and Mohammed Kudus can combine in attack.
Though European nights are built for special moments, as we have witnessed in the Champions League, it could take a miracle for the Hammers to make the comeback a reality against Leverkusen.
In other West Ham news, a new Jarrod Bowen injury update has emerged.
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