Eintracht Frankfurt stand between West Ham and a place in the Europa League final later today with the Hammers’ injury woes at the back having eased somewhat.
Kurt Zouma’s surprise recovery ahead of the first-leg could not have been more timely for the Hammers, but David Moyes also has Issa Diop back in the squad, while versatile defender Ben Johnson is fit again after missing Sunday’s Premier League defeat to Arsenal with a thigh problem and is among the substitutes.
Diop suffered an ankle injury last month and it was initially feared he could be out for the season, but the 25-year-old returned to the matchday squad for the visit of the Gunners and he is again on the bench in Germany as Craig Dawson returns.
“[Diop] has made an incredible recovery,” Moyes added. “Is he 100 per cent? Maybe not, but we’re at the stage of the season where we have to take a risk.”
Moyes made five changes to his side for the Arsenal defeat, having also rotated against Chelsea the previous week, making clear his intention to prioritise this competition.
The likes of Tomas Soucek and Michail Antonio were rested, while Dawson was suspended and all three are back in the starting XI.
Predicted West Ham XI: Areola; Coufal, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Lanzini, Fornals, Bowen; Antonio.
Subs: Fabianski, Randolph, Alese, Johnson, Masuaku, Fredericks, Diop, Noble, Kral, Vlasic, Benrahma, Yarmolenko
