By Dan Carter

20th Nov, 2023 | 6:40am

West Ham United news as Gareth Southgate shares Jarrod Bowen fitness update

Gareth Southgate has shared an update on Jarrod Bowen’s fitness after it was announced that the West Ham United star had left the England squad ahead of their clash with North Macedonia.

The Hammers winger has been in excellent form this season, scoring eight times in 12 Premier League matches, but failed to get off of the bench during England’s 2-0 win over Malta In Euro 2024 qualifying on Friday (17 November).

Many had expected Bowen would be involved in some capacity against North Macedonia on Monday 20 November, but Southgate has confirmed that the 26-year-old didn’t travel with the squad having picked up an injury in training.

As quoted by Claret & Hugh (19 November) he said: “Unfortunately, Jarrod picked up an injury. I think he felt it a little bit yesterday and then again at the end of training today. So we didn’t really have enough time to assess it fully and make a really accurate decision before the game.

“We felt better to leave him in England so that he can get it properly assessed. I don’t think it’s going to be anything serious, but we just didn’t have enough time, and we wouldn’t take a risk with that player.”

Anything serious

West Ham supporters will be wishing that a few of their players hadn’t received the call to represent their national side over the last couple of weeks, as it really feels like the problems are mounting up for David Moyes after a few tough developments.

While Bowen and Michail Antonio have been ruled out with injury, Vladimir Coufal has been sent home by the Czech Republic for disciplinary reasons just to ensure that the Scotsman will have another couple of fires to put out ahead of the Irons clash with Burnley.

The only positive that the Hammers can take from all their recent woes is the fact that Southgate doesn’t believe that Bowen’s knock is anything too serious, with the Three Lions boss suggesting that the decision to leave him in England was more out of precaution than severity.

Bowen has plenty of time to return to fitness before the trip to Turf Moor on Saturday (25 November) and there is every chance that he could be fit and ready to lead the line again as Moyes looks to build on the Hammers win over Nottingham Forest.

In other West Ham news, Ings has been linked with a move away and the Hammers have identified a £40 million replacement