West Ham United will be without midfielder Flynn Downes for the second leg of their Europa Conference League round of 16 second leg tie against AEK Larnaca.
The Hammers midfielder started and played the duration of Thursday night’s 2-0 first leg victory in the round of 16 clash at the AEK Arena, despite describing himself as having a “chunky” ankle at full-time following a second half injury.
Downes will however miss next week’s second leg regardless of if he is injured or not after being booked in the second half, his third booking in this season’s Europa Conference League.
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The 24-year-old Brentwood-born midfielder is the first West Ham player to serve a suspension received from exploits in this year’s campaign.
Speaking on it, Moyes admits it is a blow and said he decided to play him for the duration because he does not have him available next week.
“He opened his ankle up a bit, he’s probably going to get a couple of stitches on his ankle, the bit when he went down,” Moyes told football.london .
“I could’ve taken him off, I was a bit worried when he got the booking so I thought I could make that change but they told me he was already suspended for next week so I thought I’d take my chances and hope he sees it out.
“We’re trying to give Flynn the opportunities at the right time, we’re pleased with what he’s doing, we think there are things he can improve on.
“But it’s not easy breaking into the Premier League from the Championship and if you look at the people who’ve done it it can take a bit of time. We hope he continues to develop and we’re happy for him.”
The other player close to a ban in the Europa Conference League is centre-back Angelo Ogbonna, who was an unused substitute in the first leg.
Ogbonna has been carded twice since the start of the group stages and will serve a one-match suspension if booked next week against Larnaca in the second leg.
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