West Ham United injury boost as Kurt Zouma could make return for AZ Alkmaar clash tonight
West Ham United could welcome back defender Kurt Zouma from injury for their Europa Conference League semi-final first-leg clash against AZ Alkmaar tonight [11 May], according to Football.London.
The centre-back picked up the injury after just 19 minutes of the 4-3 defeat against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday (29 April) and was forced off for Aaron Cresswell.
David Moyes on Wednesday [10 May] admitted that the game may come too soon for the ex-Chelsea defender, despite returning to training on Tuesday.
However, according to Football.London [11 May], the Frenchman could yet make the squad for the first leg Europa Conference League tie on Thursday night.
“Zouma has missed Moyes’ side’s last two Premier League matches due to an ankle injury sustained in the 4-3 defeat to Crystal Palace last month.
“However, despite initially being set to miss “a few weeks”, Zouma has trained on Tuesday and Wednesday and has a chance of making the [AZ Alkmaar] squad”, the report reveals.
Huge news
West Ham United were defensively sound in Zouma’s absence against Manchester United on Sunday as they barely gave Erik ten Hag’s men a sniff in their 1-0 win at the London Stadium.
However, Moyes will certainly prefer to have his French star back fit and firing on all cylinders, especially with the Europa Conference League semi-final against AZ Alkmaar to come.
With a report emerging that the Frenchman could be back for the game against Brentford at the weekend, Hammers fans will be incredibly pleased to hear that he has a chance of making the first-leg tie which is huge news for Moyes and his side.
The former Chelsea defender is an assured presence, a defensive leader and a quality centre-back when he’s fit, and having him fit alongside Nayef Aguerd and Angelo Ogbonna along the backline gives the Hammers every chance they need of achieving something in the coming weeks.