After Niclas Fullkrug suffered a calf strain on Germany duty, West Ham United boss Graham Potter will be praying Lucas Paqueta, Malick Diouf, Tomas Soucek, Jarrod Bowen and Aaron Wan-Bissaka come through their own internationals unscathed.
While Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann played down fears regarding Niclas Fullkrug’s latest injury last week – the veteran targetman was replaced in the squad by Dortmund’s Maxi Beier before the shock 2-0 loss at Slovakia – Hammers News can confirm that the West Ham striker is likely to miss the Tottenham derby on Saturday evening.
So one suspects that, with one potential starter down already, Graham Potter will have been somewhat pleased to see Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen given a rest.
Soucek was left out of the Czech Republic XI for only the second time in four years during the 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia.
Much to the bemusement of former West Ham United manager Alan Pardew, meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel bizarrely chose Noni Madueke over Jarrod Bowen against both Andorra and Serbia.
DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre, though, is quick to point out that there was no reason to sweat on Aaron Wan-Bissaka‘s fitness after the right-back was subbed off 77 minutes into his DR Congo debut.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka during West Ham United FC v Nottingham Forest FC - Premier League
Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images
DR Congo coach shares Aaron Wan-Bissaka plan as West Ham United ace escapes injury
Wan-Bissaka went head-to-head with Malick Diouf as DR Congo and Senegal played out a five-goal thriller on Tuesday.
The former started for a second match in succession, taking his tally of caps to two.
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And, after making way towards the end of that 4-1 thrashing of South Sudan four day earlier, Wan-Bissaka played the full 90 minutes for the first time since switching his international allegiance to The Leopards.
Head coach Sebastien Desabre admitted that ‘AWB’s removal on Thursday was a decision made with the risk of an injury in mind, switching out the reigning Hammer of the Year amid fears of an unwelcome twist on a punishing artificial pitch.
“He played well but couldn’t complete the full match [against South Sudan],” Desabre told Global Football Reports and Iris Football. “This is Africa, his home, where pitches aren’t as soft as in Europe.
“[This] was artificial turf, not the London Stadium. He needs to adapt quickly to playing here, on his own continent. Overall, a fair performance. We are happy with him.”
Hammer of the Year told he must learn the Congo anthem
Wan-Bissaka removed himself from the England frame officially at the age of 27. Despite earning caps for the Three Lions at youth level, he clearly grew frustrated being stuck behind Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Kieran Trippier and co.
Desabre, meanwhile, was keen to highlight Wan-Bissaka’s ‘humility’. There was not a hint of ego, the coach says, despite him being potentially the most high-profile member of the DR Congo roster.
“Wan-Bissaka made a very good start on Thursday against South Sudan. We all appreciated his contribution to the team and we know he is very important to us,” the coach adds, albeit while issuing one key demand.
“Aaron came with a lot of humility, just like everyone else. When you come to the national team, you lose a little bit of your status as a football star.
“One more thing, he should rehearse the national anthem. After three months, he should be able to sing it.”