By Joe Ellis

7th Oct, 2022 | 2:19pm

West Ham United early team news v Fulham: Maxwel Cornet update offered

Maxwel Cornet is still likely to miss West Ham United’s home game against Fulham on Sunday but his injury is not as bad as was feared.

The Ivorian hobbled off in the Irons’ 2-0 win at home to Wolves last weekend and subsequently missed the Europa Conference League win at Anderlecht on Thursday evening.

The calf strain will mean he won’t play against the Cottagers but the return leg against the Belgians is a possibility and there are no other major concerns.

“He’s got a small calf strain. I don’t think it’s as bad as we first feared, but it will keep him out for a few days,” Moyes said, as quoted by Ben Dinnery. “Elsewhere, we’ve got a few knocks and niggles but hopefully we’ll be OK by the time we get to Sunday.”

Lucky break

This news might be the stroke of luck Moyes and West Ham have been waiting to get even though he can’t take on Marco Silva’s side on Sunday.

Many were fearing a lengthy time on the sidelines for Cornet when he limped off against Wolves but to only miss two, at most three matches is a hugely encouraging outcome.

He had just started to strut his stuff in the famous claret and blue after a somewhat slow start to life in the capital and a big injury layoff could have really dented his momentum.

That shouldn’t be such an issue for him now if he is able to return in some capacity on Thursday and then be ready for a full game the following weekend.

Pablo Fornals just does not offer the same direct approach and scarily quick feet as the natural winger Cornet is and Moyes will now know that he has no choice but to put him back into the side when he is fit to do so.