Southampton forward Che Adams ruled out of West Ham game
West Ham and David Moyes have been handed a huge boost as Southampton forward Che Adams has been ruled out of Sunday’s game.
Adams and Danny Ings have formed a seamless understanding in the final third for Ralph Hasenhuttl this season, but the Austrian will be without the services of one of his two first-team strikers.
The Scottish striker, who has been named in the Euro squad for this summer’s competition, was taken off at half-time against Leeds United because of a groin problem.
Hasenhuttl said post match that it was a minor niggle, but with the Euros less than a month away, he doesn’t want to risk the striker’s chances by playing him in a dead rubber for Southampton.
When asked about Adams’ availability, he said, per Hampshire Live, “Che Adams is out. He cannot play at the weekend. He will be out. The rest are fit.
“It is only a small one. He will be out for five to ten days. He has the Euros coming up so we did not want to take the risk.
“It is only a small one for him.”
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We’re still sweating on the fitness of Lukasz Fabianski, and while he’s likelier to play than not, Adams missing out for sure is a huge boost.
He’s formed a terrifying strike partnership with Ings this season, with Alan Shearer calling the pair ‘absolutely magnificent’ on BBC’s Match of the Day, via Hampshire Live.
Our centre-backs will breathe a sigh of relief now that they will not have to deal with Adams’ clever runs in behind defences.
This is a must-not-lose game for us against a side winless in their last 10 away games, so the contest is certainly there for the taking and Moyes will be telling his players to go for the three points.
In what’s been an impressive season for us, all we need from the final day is a point to qualify for Europa League, and will welcome all the good fortune that comes our way from now until the final whistle.
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