Adefunmiloye Alani

Thu 6 January 2022 11:40, UK

West Ham are likely to be without more players for their FA Cup clash this weekend due to Covid-19, according to ExWHUemployee.

The trusted Hammers source has claimed that it would be unfair for him to name names, but the first-team squad could struggle to name a solid matchday squad when they face Leeds United at the London Stadium on Sunday (9 January).

However, Pablo Fornals is set to be available for the matchday squad after missing the previous two matches due to isolation following a positive Covid test result.

Blow?

Fornals has received a double vaccination and a booster jab, and his isolation period is due to end well before the Elland Road outfit come visiting, but it appears some others have not been lucky.

David Moyes will be expected to make changes to his team for the Cup game, but he would be keen to mix experience with youth, and he could struggle to do that if some of his senior players are unavailable due to the virus.

West Ham have seen their squad boosted by the return of Conor Coventry, Mipo Odubeko and Joseph Anang from loan, but involving them against Leeds will mean they will not be able to go on loan again as FIFA rules do not permit any player to play for three clubs in one season.

The Hammers boss would love to win a silverware this term, and the FA Cup is another chance after Tottenham Hotspur dumped his team out of the League Cup.

He needs his best players available after losing Algeria international Said Benrahma to the Africa Cup of Nations, and with his eyes also on the Norwich City game next Wednesday (12 January) and the league game with Leeds on 16 January, the Covid situation in the West Ham camp could make his selection process in the coming days very tricky.

In other West Ham news, an amazing attacker is making personal arrangements for Hammers switch in January.

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