Kurt Zouma available for selection: Early West Ham team news v Leicester
West Ham United will have Kurt Zouma available for their Premier League game away at Leicester City on Sunday, according to David Moyes.
The Scot confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Friday (11 February) that the French defender would still be involved in the squad despite his recent controversy.
He was fined £250,000 by the club for a video showing him to kick and slap his pet cat,which has since been taken into care by the RSPCA.
“Yes, he is available against Leicester and I stand by the decision to play him,” Moyes said, as quoted by Football London, “It’s different views on should be available or not. We as a club took the decision that we made him available, and I stand by that.
“I don’t think the club could take more action or any quicker. West Ham have fined him the maximum wages, we all accept the actions terrible and diabolical.”
Ignore off-field events
A turbulent week off the pitch for West Ham needs to be completely erased from memory if they want to claim all three points at the King Power on Sunday.
The foxes may have had a tough season for a variety of reasons (injury and AFCON among them) but they are still one of the most dangerous sides in the Premier League given the chance.
Moyes simply must ensure his Irons don’t give them a sniff, especially early on in the game, and complete the job in a thoroughly professional manner.
Once that full-time whistle blows, then they can address the ongoing problems away from football but any thought towards it during the game can only end poorly.
Brendan Rodgers will be looking for a big response after the defeat at Anfield on Thursday and the humiliating FA Cup exit against rivals Nottingham Forest.
A defeat here would compound a horrible week for the Foxes and they will be out on the prowl for vulnerable targets.
In other West Ham news, there is internal trouble brewing at the London stadium as the Kurt Zouma scandal goes on.