West Ham welcome Brighton to the London Stadium on Saturday as mystery continues to surround the absence of Jean-Clair Todibo.
The Hammers take on bogey side Brighton after a dark couple of weeks for the club.
Michail Antonio’s horrific crash was followed by the death of West Ham Academy goalkeeper Oscar Fairs and Julen Lopetegui’s father in the last week.
The Hammers recently admitted that Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler was on their shortlist to replace David Moyes.
But the club’s owners told Hammers News they ‘played it safe and went with experience’ by hiring Lopetegui instead.
The jury is out over whether that will be the right call in the long run.
One thing the jury is not out on is Lopetegui’s character as a man. He put West Ham first recently when he knew his dad was in his last days.
And he will return to London today to lead the team against Brighton.
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It comes amid a difficult time for the Spaniard in the West Ham dressing room.
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West Ham share vague update on Toe-dibo-gate
Most disturbing of all the stories to emerge was that Jarrod Bowen had to intervene when Jean-Clair Todibo allegedly swung for Lopetegui during a disagreement at half-time of the shambolic 5-2 defeat to Arsenal.
The former Spain manager has since admitted there was indeed an incident between him and Todibo. He insisted it was ‘nothing important’.
But Todibo being made to train with the Under 21s and being absent from the squad since for two of the three games since suggests otherwise.
A high-level Hammers club source claims fans have been lied to about chaos behind the scenes at West Ham.
The Athletic’s West Ham reporter Roshane Thomas – an outspoken critic of the manager – has claimed “mind-blowing stuff” has been going on behind the scenes.
Thomas has even stated all will be revealed if and when Lopetegui departs, adding “the gloves will be off”.
Todibo was pictured training with West Ham ahead of the game against Bournemouth.
Yet he was not in the squad with no official word on the reason why – only details from Hammers sites stating he had hurt his toe.
In his absence Konstantinos Mavropanos has actually played well and been committed to giving his all.
But the big Greek has continued to make costly mistakes, such as giving away the needless foul which resulted in Bournemouth’s last gasp equaliser last time out.
All eyes are now on whether Todibo will return for the clash against Brighton.
Now West Ham have shared a vague update on the £32m star amid Toe-dibo-gate as Brighton face a mini crisis.
Brighton's English striker #18 Danny Welbeck (L) shakes hands with Brighton's German head coach Fabian Hurzeler (R) as he leaves the game, substitu...
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Brighton face mini crisis for Hammers clash
According to an official update on West Ham’s website ahead of the game against the Seagulls, there is still uncertainty over Todibo.
But it doesn’t say what the actual issue is.
The club’s official line is that Todibo will ‘be assessed’.
“Defender Jean-Clair Todibo will be assessed ahead of the visit of Brighton and Hove Albion, having missed the draw away at AFC Bournemouth on Monday night,” West Ham state.
The Hammers will be without classy midfielder Carlos Soler, who has established himself as a key player lately.
There is good news for Lopetegui, though, as it may be a good time to face Brighton.
After a brilliant start to the season, the Seagulls have not won in four games and lost 3-1 at home to bitter rivals Palace last time out.
Better still West Ham bogeyman Danny Welbeck is out of the game, one of six Brighton players expected to be missing.
Hurzeler has confirmed Welbeck “is not in the best shape” and won’t be ready for the match at the London Stadium.
Alleged summer West Ham target Ferdi Kadioglu will also be out as will Jack Hinshelwood for the trip to West Ham.
In addition to those three, James Milner, Solly March and Adam Webster are also likely to be out for Brighton.
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