West Ham’s 3-0 victory over Derby County on Saturday was arguably their best display of 2026-27, setting the tone for Tuesday’s trip to Toughsheet Community Stadium, where they will face Bolton Wanderers.
Given the nature of last weekend’s triumph, Nuno Espirito Santo would have been forgiven if he named an unchanged XI, but injuries have ruled out that possibility.
Valentin Castellanos was one of his side’s best performers last time out but is unavailable with a muscle problem, and Pablo Felipe, who would have been a natural replacement, is doubtful.
This opens the door for Divine Mukasa to be deployed in the secondary striker role behind Joel Piroe, while the ‘talented’ 20-year-old Lewis Orford could take his compatriot’s place in midfield.
Registering two assists, Orford made the most of his last start against Southampton in the EFL Cup – his first since the opening Championship weekend – and will be eager to impress once again if given the chance.
Manor Solomon and Jarrod Bowen are expected to provide width once again either side of Arne Engels and Orford, although Edvin Austbo’s most recent display also puts him in contention to start.
In defence, Adama Boiro could be handed his first start after a 13-minute cameo on Saturday, although the centre-back pairing of Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos is expected to remain unchanged.
Veteran defender Joel Veltman has started three of West Ham’s last four matches and could be given a breather on Tuesday in favour of Kyle Walker-Peters.
Predicted West Ham XI (4-4-2): Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Boiro; Bowen, Engels, Orford, Solomon; Mukasa, Piroe