West Ham United right-back Vladimir Coufal is perhaps the most surprising member of the Hammers’ first-team squad currently on international duty.
Coufal is one of ten members of David Moyes’ squad currently on international duty and is in the Czech Republic squad alongside Hammers colleague Tomas Soucek for their 2024 European Championship qualifying matches against Poland and Moldova in the coming week.
However, while Coufal’s call-up is not a surprise in terms of merit, it is a shock due to his recent injury issues, having missed West Ham’s last five matches with a heel injury.
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Coufal was forced off at half-time during the Hammers’ 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest last month and has missed five games since in all competitions, against Manchester United in the FA Cup, Brighton and Hove Albion and Aston Villa in the Premier League, and both legs of the Europa Conference League round of 16 win over AEK Larnaca.
However, despite his injury issue, Coufal is in the Czech Republic’s squad and could be involved in their game against Poland on Friday night, although he is being monitored on a daily basis.
Speaking about Coufal’s injury, Czech boss Jaroslav Silhavy has said that the right-back is improving and that the medical staff of Coufal’s country and club have regularly been in touch ahead of his nation’s double header of qualifiers.
“Vlaďs had health problems with his heel, but at the moment he is doing everything to be ready for Friday,” Silhavy told iDNES.cz , as published by Sport Witness.
“Our side is in daily contact with West Ham, we exchange information and we believe that Vlad will be ready for the match against Poland on Friday.”
First up for the Czech Republic is a home match against Poland on Friday night, before travelling to face Moldova 72 hours later (both 7:45pm kick-offs UK time).
Coufal has played 26 times in all competitions for West Ham this season and to date, has 34 international caps to his name.
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