Maxwel Cornet

Team News: Cresswell and Cornet return to squad, Coufal absent

David Moyes welcomes Aaron Cresswell and Maxwel Cornet back into his squad for Thursday's UEFA Europa League Group A matchday three tie with Olympiacos.

Cresswell and Cornet were both absent from the squad which lost at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, but travelled to Greece alongside their fellow Irons on Wednesday afternoon.

Left-back Cresswell has featured just once this season, in the 3-1 win over FK TSC at London Stadium on matchday one, but has recovered from a hamstring injury. Winger Cornet has made three appearances – one in each competition – and will hope for an opportunity to impress in Piraeus.

Birthday boy Divin Mubama, who turned 19 on Wednesday, was also on the plane, meaning the Hammers headed to southern Europe with strong squad for Moyes to choose from, with the only absence being Czech right-back Vladimír Coufal.

“The only one who hasn’t travelled is Vladi,” the manager confirmed in his pre-match press conference at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. “He was just a bit tight, so I left him at home.

“Aaron Cresswell and Ben Johnson are both here. Johnson is probably a bit further ahead of Cressy at the moment but, if required, they’re both able to play.”

Olympiacos have injury concerns over Argentinian pair Nicolás Freire, a centre-back, and Santiago Hezze, a defensive midfielder.

 

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