Pelllegrini's Positive Player Selection Problems

Having spent most of the entire season juggling with injury problems that decimated his squad, Hammers manager Manuel Pellegrini is in the enviable position of having top quality players available on a continuous basis. Only Andrily Yarmolenko, Winston Reid and Carlos Sanchez along with proverbial sick notes Andy Carroll and Jack Wilshere are unavailable for selection, a far cry from earlier in the season.

Fortunately the players who have been away on international duty have returned home without injury, although for some the travel will have been rather draining, particularly Javier Hernandez, who scored to help Mexico record a 4-2 win over Paraguay in Tuesday's international friendly at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Given the time differential it is unlikely that Chicharito will start against Everton this Saturday evening at the London Stadium, although his stock has risen so much of late it is difficult to see Pellegrini not using him for at least some of the match.

With virtually a full squad to choose from Manuel Pellegrini has some tough choices ahead of the Everton game, namely does he stick with the current centre back pairing or draft in the 'General' that is Fabian Balbuena, in the midfield, he also has a difficult decision, does he drop Captain Mark Noble and replace him with Samir Nasri or not? 'Pelle' has shown time and again that despite his charming man moniker he is capable of being as ruthless as is necessary.

The team could line up like this : Fabianski; Zabaleta, Balbuena, Diop, Cresswell, Rice, Nasri, Antonio; Anderson, Lanzini, Hernandez. Subs: Adrian, Noble, Ogbonna, Arnautovic, Masuaku, Obiang, Perez - Ed