WHZ View: Odubeko could get West Ham chance stripped away after Moyes admission
West Ham United entertain Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup this weekend, and it offers David Moyes the perfect opportunity to rotate.
After three consecutive wins in the Premier League, the Irons will want to make easy work of the League One side at the London Stadium.
The Hammers are yet to welcome any news signings through the door, with the final third remaining a real problem for Moyes to solve.
Could Ademipo Odubeko benefit?
The young striker made his debut off the bench against Stockport in the previous round, and surely now his time has come for his first start.
Michail Antonio has returned from injury this week, and his two starts against Burnley and West Brom will surely mean he is due a rest in the FA Cup.
Odubeko has been training with the first-team in January, as his stock continues to grow in-and-around Rush Green.
Touch and go?
Moyes admitted that Odubeko is currently in the dark over his COVID-19 situation, after testing positive then negative in the space of a few days.
Odubeko arrived from Manchester United with big voices behind his hype, but he hasn’t yet been unleashed by Moyes, who admitted his excitement at working with him.
The 18-year-old burst onto the scene against Southend for the under-23s in the Papa John’s Trophy earlier this season – scoring twice.
As well as that, ‘Mipo’ hit the target with all five of his efforts according to WyScout, completed all his dribbles and won 100% of his offensive duels.
That proves he is ready for the physicality of senior football, and that if given the chance, he can cause problems for anyone he comes up against.
Antonio needs to be protected with his hamstring problems, although Odubeko could see his chance taken away from him as he awaits answers from the club doctor.
In other West Ham United news, Frank McAvennie wants the Hammers to sign Danny Ings