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Udinese: Silvestri, Ehizibue, Bijol, Perez, Pereyra ©, Ebosele, Walace, Lovric, Samardzic, Beto, Success Subs: Padelli (GK), Piana (GK), Guessano, Buta, Arslan, Jajalo, Pafundi, Nestorovski, Cocetta, Abdalla, Russo, Centis
West Ham: Fabiański, Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna ©, Emerson, Downes, Souček, Fornals, Benrahma, Scamacca Subs: Randolph (GK), Hegyi (GK), Johnson, Scarles, Forbes, Laing, Coventry, Ekwah, Lanzini, F.Potts, Antonio, Swyer

Seeing Nikola Vlašić playing for Croatia has prompted many fans to question what exactly happened regarding the 25 year old's transfer from CSKA Moscow to West Ham. Vlasic is currently on loan at Torino and went there in a deal that could be made permanent for around £15 million, he has already shown enough while at the Italian club to be a bargain buy for the price on offer, one which Hammers committed themselves to when sending the forward out on loan.

West Ham United's 26 year old Morocco International centre back Nayef Aguerd is facing a lengthy spell out of the game following the injury he sustained playing against Spain in the Qatar World Cup. Aguerd was on the receiving end of some 'tough but fair' challenges during the game before finally having to leave the field following a desperate last gasp saving tackle.

West Ham United majority share holder David Sullivan has regularly vented his spleen in public about the 'outrage' that is currently in place whereby other clubs can sneak in and 'steal' academy players that the club have spent huge amounts of time and resources training up for the possibiity of the youngster representing the first team, only for Spuds or Leeds or particularly Watford to offer 'excessive' wages to the boys parents or greedy agents.

Hammers have been given an 'uncomfortable tie for this year's third round FA Cup tie, an away fixtute against Thomas Frank's Brentford at the GTech Stadium, probably one of the few venues that West Ham supporters really dread, despite it's relative close proximity!
The full draw is as follows:

West Ham United have confirmed that Kurt Zouma has had surgery on the knee injury that has been troubling him for several seasons, the French defender will now continue his rehabilitation at Rush Green with the Club’s medical team. It was decided that the break for the Wash Cup was an ideal opportunity to fix Zouma's long term knee issue which he had coped with for years, but had started to impact on his match day performances.

England continue their World Cup campaign when they take on the United States of America at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Friday night. The Three Lions got off to the perfect start with a hugely impressive 6-2 demolition of Iran on Monday afternoon. Youngsters Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham starred during the victory, while Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford also got their names on the scoresheet.

Having taken over from Steven Gerrard as Rangers manager a year ago, Giovanni van Bronckhorst enjoyed a remarkable run to the Europa League final which plastered over over the cracks of their domestic form. Europe got everybody excited and it didn't seem to matter too much that while they were beating Borussia Dortmund and Red Star Belgrade they were drawing with Aberdeen and Ross County.

Saïd Benrahma is an incredibly gifted but occasionally wayward footballer, he possesses skill in abundance and the ability to put opposition defenders on their back sides with the drop of a shoulder or the slightest feint of movement, yet it was only in the last few games before the Qatar whitewash Cup that he was given a starting berth in David Moyes' new 'super team', comprised of £180 Million of new signings in addition to the quality players who were already at the club.

Denial is a part of our make up as human beings, without it we would never 'soldier on' regardless on many occasions, recognising denial is in itself an achievement as many people muddle on oblivious to the obvious and seem quite content with their lot in life. The sports wash that is about to begin in Qatar might move the emphasis of what is going on domestically for a little while, but sooner or later certain home truths WILL come home to roost it is a question of when not if.