Leicester: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Chilwell, Mahrez, Drinkwater, Amartey, Albrighton, Slimani, Gray. Subs: Musa, King, Okazaki, Zieler, Ulloa, Mendy, Fuchs.
West Ham: Randolph, Nordtveit, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Noble, Kouyate, Antonio, Ayew, Payet, Carroll. Subs: Feghouli, Lanzini, Adrian, Obiang, Fletcher, Fernandes, Quina.
Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke.
Giving his latest update from the treatment room Vandenbroucke said: “After suffering back pain, Diafra underwent a successful operation before Christmas. He is currently resting and will undergo a period of rehabilitation with the aim of returning him to the pitch in the spring.”
“It could have happened 12 months ago. A lot of this could be avoided but now the op has happened he will be 100 per cent fine.
“We are happy he took the decision to have the procedure and this should see him absolutely fit and free of the problem.”
Meanwhile Vandenbroucke explained that Gokhan Tore has returned to Beiktas to continue his rehab from knee surgery carried out in Europe and “will be out for a long period.”
He added that Manuel Lanzini, Simone Zaza, Reece Oxford and Sam Byram are all back in training with the first-team squad.
He said: “We have five injuries at present – Diafra Sakho, Arthur Masuaku, Alvaro Arbeloa, Gokhan Tore – and James Collins, who is set to return to training next week. All the other senior players are in full training.”
The old adage of there being no smoke without fire might be applied to the increasing speculation that 34 year old striker Jermaine Defoe could return to West Ham United, a club who many believed that he let down badly by 'jumping ship' following relegation many many years ago. If Defoe did leave Sunderland, where he is captain and their main hope of Barclays Premier League survival, then he would be held with vitriol to a new dimension! So is it all agent talk? Well it's probably a bit of talk from an agent and a bit of wishful thinking, but with Sakho out injured again and Ayew off to the African Cup of Nations then reinforcements will be needed up front. The player himself has expressed a desire to come back to London, so maybe a move could materialise. Sunderland would want big bucks, and Defoe would command big money. There is also the issue of long memories, which would be a shame, because if nothing else the past shows that loyalty has to work both ways. - Ed
Getting in early.
Few notable mentions.
Thanks Nev and techo boy for righting the ship and steering the org to calmer waters. I think the org is starting to find its feet again. Some notable absentees but then they may ave carked it so cant grumble.
well done to Slav. Keeps a modicum of respectability among a jungle of social media frenzy. I think he'll get it right.....but patience is a virtue.
well done to Antoniò. Boy is doing us proud. Clumsy fucker but 100% commitment proves you can make a career and his passion is there for all to see.
and finally Reid. My player of 2016. He's got better and better this season and is now a top 4 centre half.
Ill try to do better on the org. Life has superceeded my writing efforts, but my ST in the TB upper with my boys has provided me with enough ammunition to write for another 20 years!
I think things are calming down ans finding their way, but there is much to do.
health and happiness to you and yours my beautiful irons.
ok ok you all know who I want us to buy but today I am not mentioning his name I promise...anyway how about the club make a cheeky bid for Sigurdsson....it would help take some of the pressure off of mr payet as this guys a free kick specialist himself and can spray the ball round as well as dimi.....think its worth a punt myself
A big away win and yes it was big, 4 goals away from home and while some would argue against a poor side it could have been so different had we conceded first. 2 strikers on target solid defensively (Reid was outstanding) and a good all round performance. Though a little disjointed at times I was pleased that Nordveit had a good game and looked the most comfortable I have seen him in Claret and Blue. After a very good point at Anfield it was important to pick up points against teams below and around us and 3 wins (the two home ones were not pretty) in a row 6 goals for 1 against is a decent return. Grinding out wins (and with a fair slice of luck especially v Hull City) something special was due and was certainly delivered. A good team performance and one that will make us all feel a little easier. Nobes had a solid game again and Cresswell showed how important he is for us on the left. Antonio gets into some good positions and so good to see Carroll and Ayew on the score sheet which will do their confidence a power if good. Payet did what he had to do and though not as electric as last term but still showed flashes of what he is capable of. Reid read every danger and he along with Ogbonna was superb in central defence. Randolph with every game instills confidence in his defence and again was alert and solid in the nets. Kouyate as we expect is always full of running and man for man it was a performance tha will warm the cockles of our hearts. Well done West Ham and yep that was some Chritmas Present.
Swansea: Fabianski, Rangel, Mawson, van der Hoorn, Kingsley, Cork, Britton, Routledge, Sigurdsson, Fulton, Borja Baston. Subs: Fer, Llorente, Dyer, Nordfeldt, Montero, Naughton, Fernandez.
West Ham: Randolph, Kouyate, Reid, Ogbonna, Antonio, Noble, Nordtveit, Cresswell, Payet, Carroll, Ayew. Subs: Feghouli, Adrian, Fletcher, Fernandes, Quina, Pike, Rice.
heard this rumour today about redbull interestedin buying us for £200million....cant see it happening as Sullivan/gold always say they are not looking to sell but interested in finding investors...that's fine as long as they take transfer windows more seriously than they did in the summer
So sad to see Rick going off to join god's rock and roll band in the sky. I had the pleasure of spending some time with him away from the glare of the media and he was a wonderful and genuine human being, the world is a sadder place with his loss. Heart felt condolences to his family and legions of fans. - Ed
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