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Rumours circulating in some European media outlets suggesting Hammers are in the middle of a Covid outbreak are way off the mark. We have had it confirmed to us that there are definitely NO cases of Covid at the club, but that the club is ever vigilant. The 'flu like' bug that is currently raging through the squad is debilitating but recovery is quick so it is to be hoped that some of those afflicted will be OK to make the squad for the game against Palace on Sunday.

TSC: Simic, Cvetkovic, Antonic (c), Dordevic, Petrovic, M Radin, Dakovac, N Stojic, Kuveljic, Stanic,Jovanovic.
West Ham: Fabiański (C), Johnson, Mavropanos, Aguerd, Cresswell, Fornals, Ward-Prowse, Souček, Paquetá, Benrahma, Mubama
Subs: Areola, Anang, Kehrer, Emerson, Zouma, Ogbonna, Chesters, Scarles, Earthy, Coventry, Cornet, Ings

There has been a 'sudden' media spotlight thrown on Saïd Benrahma's future at West Ham, with news that his recently appointed agent who has strong connnnections with the Saudi Pro League is pushing for a January exit for his client.

Most media operators look to find the best and most reliable information with regards to Premier League clubs comings and goings, such is the global interest in the 'brand', some sources of course are more 'honest' than others! However, there does appear to be one interesting anomaly and that is that 'youth' players seem to be far higher valued away from England than they are 'at home'.

Burnley: Trafford, Vitinho, O'Shea, Beyer, Taylor, Gudmundsson, Berge, Brownhill, Koleosho, Amdouni, Rodriguez. Subs: Vigouroux, Roberts, Redmond, Ekdal, Zaroury, Ramsey, Cullen, Bruun Larsen, Obafemi.
West Ham: Areola, Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson, Alvarez, Ward-Prowse, Kudus, Soucek, Paqueta, Ings. Subs: Fabianski, Cresswell, Fornals, Mavropanos, Cornet, Ogbonna, Benrahma, Kehrer, Mubama

Normally such a headline would be viewed as a naive and ill-informed belief that David Moyes' had changed the colour of his spots, however Hammers sudden injury crisis might just have been the trigger to make the one who is 'not for turning' turn!

With a game every three days for nearly six weeks to navigate, the Hammers manager finds himself with only ONE recognised forward, unfortunately that forward is 'Uncle' Ingy-AKA Danny Ings who is so ill suited to Moyesball that whoever sanctioned the signing would have been found hanging under Blackfriars bridge during the eighties!

There was a certain inevitability that sooner or later Hammers lack of forward recruitments was going to 'bite' the club and it has now done so in a 'Massive' way!

Hot on the heels of injuries to Mikey Antonio and Tomy Soucek, JARROD BOWEN HAS NOW JOINED THE 'CROCK' LIST! Should anyone be surprised? "down to the bare bones" was a favourite expression of 'Arry Redknapp, he used it to 'remind' the board of the paucity of his squad and constantly wheeled and dealed in order to be able to put a consistent team out.

The International break is always a fraught one for domestic managers and this most recent one looks as if it is going to be "MOYES' NEMESIS!' BOTH Mikey Antonio and Tomy Soucek have picked up injuries that will make them unavailable for the next Premier League game against Burnley AND most likely the crucial derby games against Palace, Tottinghmam and Fulham!

It has always gnarled many fans that apart from having a technically anonymously named Stadium, that West Ham United have carried a betting company's logo on their shirts for an awful long time! However, just like waiting for buses or Policemen, suddenly TWO bits of outstanding news are potentially on the horizon with German Financial giants Allianz showing an active interest in the naming rights of the Queen Elizabeth Park Stadium AND more pertinently a 'direct' shirt sponsorship deal with the club.

When players are away on International duty they tend to gravitate towards familiar faces to 'pal up' during their time, Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen have plenty in common and have spent many hours together at 'work, rest and play' as the old Mars bar ads used to punt.