Paqueta in training

Team News: Paquetá returns to squad for Gent

David Moyes has confirrned that Brazil international midfielder Paquetá has travelled as part of the West Ham United squad for Thursday's UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg at KAA Gent.

The Irons' No11 missed Saturday's 1-0 Premier League win at Fulham after suffering a knock to his ankle in the previous outing against Newcastle United last Wednesday evening, but he has trained throughout this week and will be available for selection.

While Gianluca Scamacca continues to recover from a knee problem, Moyes will have an otherwise full squad to choose from in Belgium, as midfielder Flynn Downes returns from a continental suspension after having to sit out our last game in this competition against AEK Larnaca.

Eighteen-year-old Academy of Football prospect Divin Mubama, who debuted in the UECL Group B win at FCSB in November, has also travelled after scoring 26 goals in 31 appearances at all levels this season.

Sporting Director Mark Noble has also joined the squad on their journey to Belgium ahead of Thursday's game.

Paquetá and Emerson arrive at the Ghelamco Arena

"Paquetá got quite a bad knock [against Newcastle] and he trained a little bit on Friday," he said. "We thought he'd be okay [for Fulham], but his ankle was too puffy. But he's trained a couple of days [this week] and he's back in the squad."

Moyes also stated that he will pick a strong line-up at the Ghelamco Arena, as he continues to juggle the demands of the Premier League and continental competition.

With a semi-final place at stake, the boss and his team are determined not to let this opportunity pass them by.

"I'm not going to give too much away," he continued, when asked if he would rotate his squad with Sunday's home Premier League fixture with leaders Arsenal in mind. "But obviously we've got a lot of important games [coming up], as I'm sure Gent do as well.

"We've got a situation in the Premier League where we have to keep trying to win our games, and we've got big games, but we've got a a chance to get through to a semi-final.

"We have to take every opportunity we can and I wouldn't want to give that up easily."

 

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