Stuart Armstrong and Theo Walcott ruled out of West Ham clash
Southampton host West Ham United when Premier League action resumes this weekend, but the hosts are set to be without two key players.
Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has confirmed to the club’s official website that English attacking midfielder Theo Walcott is a fresh injury concern ahead of the Hammers’ visit, while Scottish midfielder Stuart Armstrong is yet to be fully fit from a calf muscle he picked up weeks ago.
Southampton are in search of their first win of the new Premier League campaign, and being without two key players is not the type of news they would have wanted ahead of the Hammers’ visit.
Blow
While the Saints have picked up just two draws and a defeat so far, West Ham have two victories and a draw, and they resume league action on the back of an impressive start to the season.
David Moyes’ men secured emphatic victories over Newcastle United and Leicester City before being held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace, scoring 10 goals across the three games and conceding five.
They ended the transfer window with three new additions, and the players could be seeing action on Saturday.
French centre-back Kurt Zouma, Croatian attacking midfielder Nikola Vlasic and the Czech Republic defensive midfielder Alex Kral have all come in to further strengthen the Hammers, and they will be keen to prove a point if given the chance against Southampton.
Nevertheless, a tough encounter is expected when both teams take to the pitch, but the visitors will fancy their chances of leaving with all three points given their current form and recent additions.
In other West Ham news, Hammers respond as PAI Capital claim they have tabled second innovative bid.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Hammers and more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.