Nuno Espirito Santo will demand better from his players when they travel to Elland Road on Friday night.placeholder image
Nuno Espirito Santo will demand better from his players when they travel to Elland Road on Friday night. | AFP via Getty Images
West Ham United are back in Premier League action with a crucial trip to Elland Road on Friday night
Things took a distinctive turn for the worse at West Ham United on Monday night as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were dominated by Brentford in a convincing 2-0 victory for the Bees.
It was easily the worst performance of the Nuno era so far in a game Hammers fans can be forgiven for thinking they had a good chance of winning, as Keith Andrews’ side had yet to pick up a single point away from home and remain a club in transition after a turbulent summer.
The pressure is now on for Nuno to turn things around on a tricky trip to Leeds United, who have already picked up five points at home and were only defeated narrowly by Tottenham Hotspur last time they played in front of their loyal home faithful. Both sides may be without key players for the crunch basement battle in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Four doubts for Leeds ahead of West Ham clash
Wilfred Gnonto - Doubt: The Italian had minor hernia surgery over the international break and missed the defeat to Burnley as a result. Having previously spent time on the sidelines with a calf issue, the winger has not featured in over a month. Might be amongst the substitutes but a return to the starting XI appears unlikely.
Noah Okafor - Doubt: Also missed out at the weekend due to an adductor injury, with his involvement at the weekend still hanging in the balance.
Whites manager Daniel Farke said in his press conference on Wednesday: "Noah Okafor and Willy Gnonto are making some good progress but were not able to complete the whole team training this week so far. We'll take some late decisions. Perhaps a bit more realistic for Noah to be involved, he wasn't out for as long as Willy."
Ethan Ampadu - Doubt: Farke revealed that the Leeds squad fell victim to a bout of illness in midweek, with captain Ampadu one of those affected. He missed training on Wednesday as a result.
Pascal Struijk - Doubt: Another to miss training this week due to illness, a decision on the health of Struijk will also be made ahead of Friday night.
Farke said: "A few struggling with illnesses. Ethan Ampadu and Pascal Struijk missed team training today, so question marks about their availability. We'll see who will be available and who we will pick.”
Harry Gray - Available: In a piece of more promising news for Leeds, teenage forward Gray will be available for selection after spending a couple of weeks out with a hip injury. Younger brother of Spurs’ Archie, the newly-turned 17-year-old has yet to make his Premier League debut but it may not be far away.
Three players confirmed out for Hammers including fresh injury blow
Niclas Fullkrug - Out: The German striker picked up a thigh injury in training ahead of the defeat to Brentford and will remain out for this one. Nuno said of a potential return: “He just made a scan. We are still waiting for the results, then we can say exactly what the time is going to be. No estimation at the moment.”
Konstantinos Mavropanos - Out: Nuno confirmed on Wednesday that the Greek centre-back will be out this weekend, having been withdrawn with a late injury against Brentford. The early signs were not good when the defender was transported off the pitch on a cart, as he struggled to limp off the field.
“Dinos is injured. He came off, and he now has a scan to see the injury he has. I don't know exactly how long he'll be out, but he'll be missing on Friday,” said the Hammers manager.
George Earthy - Out: Remaining on the sidelines is young midfielder George Earthy, who is expected to remain out until late November with a hamstring injury. Santo confirmed before the international break: “I think George will be four to six weeks [following an injury while playing for the U21s].”
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