Nuno shares West Ham team news update vs Leeds United as player definitely ruled out
Nuno Espirito Santo has shared an update on West Ham’s availability ahead of facing Leeds United on Friday.
The Portuguese boss is attempting to change his side’s fortunes, after Monday saw West Ham lose 2-0 to Brentford in a dismal display.
The Hammers were battered from start to finish, on a night that really brought home relegation fears for many watching on.
Leeds are the favourites to beat West Ham and worsen their woes, however, with Daniel Farke’s side usually strong at home.
But West Ham have not lost at Elland Road in 20 years, which may serve as a confidence-booster for Nuno.
Nuno Espirito Santo offers update on Konstantinos Mavropanos
Nuno made a number of changes to his line-up to face Brentford, but the manager is expected to resort back to the basics against Leeds.
Niclas Fullkrug is set for an extended period of time on the injury table, with the West Ham boss looking for solutions in the German’s absence.
On Monday, he chose to deploy Lucas Paqueta through the middle, but could return to the more natural option of Callum Wilson or Callum Marshall against Leeds.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf are also expected to return to the starting line-up, after a strange experiment that saw Oliver Scarles and Kyle Walker-Peters start on the opposite sides to their natural positions.
But there will be no place for Konstantinos Mavropanos after Nuno confirmed on Wednesday that the defender sustained an injury against Brentford.
“He is injured,” the West Ham boss said. “He came off, now he’s doing a scan to see the real injury that he has.
“I cannot answer exactly how long he’s going to be out. For sure, this game is not going to be an option for us, unfortunately.”
Mavropanos has appeared in each West Ham’s last six Premier League games.
Defensive solidity will be key against Leeds
Leeds do not give away many chances. Incredibly, despite conceding 13 goals in the Premier League this season so far, the Whites have conceded just 8.6 expected goals – a number bettered by only Manchester City, Newcastle United and Arsenal.
| Leeds United | Premier League 2025-26 |
| Points | 8 |
| Goals scored | 7 |
| Goals conceded | 13 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 10.4 |
| Expected goals against (xGA) | 8.6 |
But the longer West Ham can remain solid and keep the ball out of their own net, the more likely they will be to get an opening.
Despite all of the Hammers’ troubles, they still have Jarrod Bowen. The winger is one of the best finishers in the Premier League, and more than capable of taking his chance when it comes.
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