Anthony Onifade

Mon 17 April 2023 14:10, UK

West Ham United defenders Nayef Aguerd and Angelo Ogbonna are both set to return for their crucial Europa Conference League quarter-final clash against Gent, Claret and Hugh has revealed.

Both were unavailable for the thrilling 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday [16 April] after David Moyes confirmed [Evening Standard, 16 April] ahead of the game that they were carrying minor knocks.

However, according to Claret and Hugh sources [17 April] within the club, Moyes’ trusted defensive duo are due to return to action, although Ogbonna will miss out through suspension anyway.

“This morning Claret and Hugh learned exclusively that they were all but certain to be fit for the second leg of the Euro Conference clash.

“Our key source said they are both hopefully fine, just short-term injuries from the game last Thursday. At long last we showed some fight and intensity yesterday,” the trusted Hammers source revealed.

Boost

West Ham United faired pretty well for much of the game against Arsenal without their two key defensive centre-backs, with the Gunners rarely having cutting-edge chances apart from their two early goals, which only suggests that both Kurt Zouma and Thilo Kehrer did their jobs tremendously well.

However, having both Ogbonna and Aguerd fit for their crucial run-in in the Premier League and for Thursday’s encounter comes as a huge boost as Moyes and his side look to make it a happy end to a pretty disappointing campaign.

Both players have formed the base of Moyes’ trusted defensive line-up and their experience and defensive quality have proven crucial despite the club’s struggles this season.

However, Zouma and Kehrer’s performances would have certainly delighted Moyes as having all of his centre-back options in top form can only boost their aims even further.

Now the former Everton boss could well be having a potential headache ahead of Thursday’s European decider at the London Stadium, does he stick with Zouma and Kehrer or ring the changes again?