West Ham United will be looking to book a place in the final of this season’s Europa Conference League on Thursday night when they take on Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
The Hammers head to Alkmaar in the second leg of their semi-final clash in Europe with a 2-1 lead after their first leg win, with West Ham eyeing their first European final since 1976.
Ahead of West Ham’s Europa Conference League semi-final second leg against Alkmaar, here is a look at their current list of injury concerns.
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Gianluca Scamacca (knee)
Striker Gianluca Scamacca has not featured since March’s home win over AEK Larnaca due to a knee injury. Following the issue, having had a number of knee problems in recent months, he underwent knee surgery last month.
Scamacca was expected to miss two to three months of action once the surgery took place, which at the time, would have meant he was set to miss the rest of the season, even if West Ham reached the final of the Europa Conference League, taking place on June 7.
However, speaking ahead of the defeat to Liverpool last month in his pre-match press conference, Moyes suggested that there was a chance Scamacca may recover in time to be involved this season, although he stated there was no guarantee.
“Maybe, maybe. We’ve not got him back,” said Moyes. “He’s had his operation, we’ve not got him back yet. With a bit of luck, my head is planning that I’m going to be here until June 7, and that’s what I’ve got to try and hope so who knows whether or not Gianluca might get back for that.
“At the moment, I would say he’s not doing anything, he’s recovering from his operation but you know, we’re probably six weeks away from that, maybe longer.”
Vladimir Coufal (hamstring)
Right-back Vladimir Coufal was forced off in the second half of the loss to Manchester City earlier this month after pulling up with a hamstring issue after making a cross during the game at the Etihad Stadium.
Coufal has been a regular feature for the Hammers in their recent hectic schedule, starting each of their last eight games between April 8 and May 3, a timespan of just 25 days.
The defender has missed the Hammers’ last three games and it is yet to be known when he will be back in the squad.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Brentford, Moyes said that Coufal would miss the game against the Bees, but he is working towards a return.
“He is starting to do some light jogging,” Moyes said . “And so, he’s improving but he has just got a slight hamstring tweak and you are always not sure when the right time is [to bring him back to for match action]. But he is a boy who wants to play and wants to get back quickly so it is always a positive sign and hopefully, we get him back soon too.”
Michail Antonio (calf)
Striker Michail Antonio missed the trip to Brentford with a calf injury sustained in the first leg win over Alkmaar.
Antonio has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season, seven of which coming in Europe, with the most recent of those being the winner in the first leg against Alkmaar last Thursday.
Speaking on Antonio’s issue post-match, Moyes said that he did not know what Antonio’s chances were of playing on Thursday night.
“I’ve no idea yet how he is going to be for Thursday yet,” Moyes told football.london after the 2-0 defeat to the Bees.
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