David Moyes is hopeful Kurt Zouma will be available to play a role in West Ham United’s Premier League visit to Brentford.
Hammers captain Zouma missed out on the team’s Carabao Cup fourth round win over Arsenal on Wednesday evening, and manager Moyes admitted he was not 100 per cent sure either way if the Frenchman would be able to take his place in the matchday squad against the Bees on Saturday.
The 29-year-old has trained in the latter half of the week though, and Moyes is hopeful about Zouma’s chances.
“We’re not sure yet [if Kurt is available for Brentford],” the boss said. “He’s done a little bit of training and we need to assess him and see how he goes.
“He trained a little bit on Wednesday and a bit on Thursday so let’s hope he’s in with a chance of playing.”
Summer signing Konstantinos Mavropanos impressed against former side Arsenal and has played well in his five starts for the Club this campaign across the UEFA Europa League and the Carabao Cup.
Moyes has been delighted with the Greece international’s early season form and indicated the 25-year-old could be an option if Zouma is unavailable to play at the Gtech Community Stadium.
“Dinos has a big personality and he’s making his way back in the Premier League again. I have to say, the games he’s played, I think he’s done a good job for us.
“I thought he played really well against Arsenal. He’s a good character and I hope he can continue to prove as he goes along.”
The Irons will definitely be without midfield pair Lucas Paquetá and Edson Álvarez on Saturday, as each serves a respective one-match suspension for five yellow cards picked up in the Premier League so far.
“We’ll be without Edson and Lucas Paquetá at Brentford, and that’s why we play different players in cup games and in Europe, so that when these boys do get their opportunities they are ready to take them,” the manager continued. “Hopefully the boys who come in can do that.”
Defender Vladimír Coufal could hit a prestigious landmark on Saturday. If the 31-year-old features then he will earn his 100 Premier League appearance, becoming the tenth player from the Czech Republic to do so – joining the likes of teammate Tomáš Souček and Hammers legend Luděk Mikloško on the list.
Moyes has been impressed with Coufal’s efforts in Claret and Blue since joining the Hammers three years ago.
“For the value of money we got Coufal for, bringing him in has been a great bit of business,” the boss added. “He has shown us very good worth.
“He’s nearing on 100 Premier League appearances which I think, for a player from the Czech Republic, is very good. He’s been very good too and he’s started this season for us really well.”
