Kurt Zouma is expected to feature in West Ham’s squad against Watford tonight (Tuesday) – and could even make the starting line-up.
Just hours after reprehensible footage of the French defender drop-kicking a cat across the floor came to light, he was being lined up to face the court of public opinion at the London Stadium.
Zouma, who has apologised for the dreadful scenes, was originally thought to be facing at least one match, if not more, on the sidelines, as punishment for his affront to domesticated pets.
But Mirror Sport has learned he is standing by to face the Hornets.
Hammers manager David Moyes is going for glory on three fronts – a top-four finish in the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League – and there is no edict which prevents him from picking Zouma.
His descent into feline cruelty has outraged people far beyond the boundaries of animal liberation campaigners.
Zouma, 27, played in the FA Cup fourth round scare at Kidderminster on Saturday, when the Hammers were lucky to escape a monumental upset as skipper Declan Rice conjured a 91st-minute equaliser before Jarrod Bowen’s last-gasp winner in extra time.
More to follow.
