West Ham United travel to face Watford in the Premier League on Sunday, in what will be David Moyes’ first game in charge of the London outfit.
The majority of the Hammers fans are treating the change in management as an opportunity for a fresh start, while the players have been vocal about how intense the club’s training has been of late.
West Ham supporters will be interested to see the starting XI that Moyes selects on Sunday, with a number of players in contention to feature and others ruled out.
The new Hammers boss has confirmed that James Collins is back in training, but the veteran centre-half will not be part of the group that travels to Vicarage Road.
“Collins has only just returned to training after around seven weeks out. He’s working hard but he won’t be ready,” Moyes told the West Ham official website.
Given Moyes’ public admission that he will be looking to tighten up the team’s rearguard, the Welshman’s return cannot come soon enough, with Ginge’s commitment and dedication to the cause an ideal example to the rest of the squad.
Javier Hernandez picked up an injury on international duty, which means that Andy Carroll is likely to lead the line for West Ham against the Hornets.
Moyes has provided an update on the Mexican’s situation, with it looking like the striker will not be unavailable for too long.
“I think everyone knows he [Chicharito] has got a hamstring injury,” the West Ham boss continued.
“It could take a week, it could take two weeks. Because of the level it’s at we’re not sure.”
In more positive news, Moyes stated that both Winston Reid and Diafra Sakho were in contention to play a role in the game, despite not training with the West Ham first team on Friday.
The New Zealand international has wracked up the air miles over the last fortnight, returning to his homeland and then flying to Peru for World Cup qualifiers.
Sakho meanwhile played for Senegal twice against South Africa, scoring in the first game – the frontman will be pushing for a start after the managerial change at the London Stadium.
Finally, Moyes stated that a number of the Hammers under-23 players would likely be in the matchday squad, which will be music to the supporters’ ears.
Watford have had a good start to the new season but have been in faltering form of late, while the Hornets have injury concerns over Heurelho Gomes, Roberto Pereyra, Christian Kabasele, Sebastian Prodl and Younes Kaboul.
A win for West Ham would be a flying start to Moyes’ reign but travelling to Vicarage Road will be a difficult away day for the Scotsman and the Hammers side.