Genk visit West Ham on Thursday evening for their Europa League group match off the back of some recent poor performances, however their players are really looking forward to playing the Irons ahead of the game according to their manager.
This game is by no means a gimme, and David Moyes will be only too aware of how an underdog can bite, after all he has been in charge of underdogs for most of his managerial career!
Genk do have some players to watch out for, including Kristian Thorstvedt, Norwegian international and son of the former Tottingham keeper Erik. They also have former Chelsea player Iké Ugbo, he is used as backup for Hammers previous transfer target Paul Onuachu.
Genk signed Onuachu up for a further three years early in the summer, before slapping a hefty £20 Million price tag on his head, a valuation that proved too rich for Moyes. However it is believed that the Hammers manager is still interested in bringing the 6'7" colossus to the London Bowl.
The injury sustained by Tomas Soucek, which was 'delivered' by Everton's Rondon who has escaped any punishment although it appeared to be deliberate, means that there is a mini crisis in midfield. Alex Kral who would normally have replaced Soucek for the Europa match is unavailable having contracted Covid despite having been double vaccinated.
With Mark Noble currently sidelined with what has been described as a minor injury, Jamal Baptiste might get a surprise call up, because David Moyes would be highly unwilling to play Declan Rice given the impending game against Tottingham on Sunday.
Defensively, Ryan Fredericks will get a late fitness test to see if he can play, if not much will depend on whether Vladimir Coufal is sufficiently recovered from his injury, failing that, Young Harrison Ashby might find himself drafted in as right back, which would see Johnson switching flanks.
Moyes can still put out a highly effective team though, possibly: Areola, Johnson, Fredericks/Ashby/Coufal, Diop, Dawson, Masuaku, Baptiste, Lanzini, Vlasic, Yarmolenko, Bowen. There are NO easy fixtures, neither Domestically nor European, but Moyes will definitely have his eye on Sunday's crucial tie and be mindful that Thursdays game is a group match, so a draw or loss won't be the end of the World. - LN
