West Ham United manager David Moyes is expecting to have Tomáš Souček available for selection for Thursday evening’s UEFA Europa League game against KRC Genk.
The three-time Czech Footballer of the Year was withdrawn after 79 minutes of Sunday’s 1-0 Premier League win over Goodison Park.
Souček’s face suffered several cuts after a late, seemingly accidental, coming-together with the boot of Toffees forward Salomon Rondon.
A few more stitches on my face, to add to my collection. I never give up for any reason. Great win lads and keep up the good work. Don’t worry, I am still alive pic.twitter.com/TbwPdYX0wd
— Tomáš Souček (@tomassoucek28) October 17, 2021
Souček subsequently received stitches on Merseyside and has undergone further medical work this week in a bid to be fit to face Belgian Cup winners KRC Genk in the Irons’ third Europa League group-stage game on Thursday.
The Hammers currently sit top of Group H having scored successive 2-0 wins, defeating Dinamo Zagreb at Maksimir Stadium before putting Rapid Vienna to the sword at London Stadium.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday’s game at home to Genk - for which tickets continue to sell fast – Moyes confirmed Souček is available, but will consider how best to manage his game time.
“Tomáš is okay,” the West Ham United manager explained. “He’s obviously been a bit sore with different stitches.
“He got his lip redone the other day again by another doctor, but he’s had stitches in his lip, he’s had stitches in his cheek and he’s had stitches above his nose as well, so there’s three different areas he’s had it.
“I think he’s fine. There’s just a decision whether we decide to rest him or just give him a chance for a breather really, but I don’t think his injuries would be any reason not to play him.
“Tomáš wants to play. He's had his lip sutured - he got it done by a plastic surgeon yesterday again, because it was stitched up after the game and it’s been redone.
“He’s had a couple of stitches in between his nose and his eyebrows, if you want to call it there. He's fine.
“I said to him 'look at my eyebrows Tomáš – all my eyebrows are stretched from my years of being a centre-half and those cuts!' He's got a few more stitches to go before he gets to this level!"