David Moyes has told his pre-match press conference that both Vladimir Coufal and Michail Antonio have travelled with his squad to take on AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League semi-final – ahead of Sunday’s clash with Leeds.
West Ham are in action on Thursday night as they look to book themselves into the final of the Conference League. They boast a 2-1 first-leg advantage, but going away, they will need to avoid defeat in Holland to secure their place.
Alkmaar will be confident having taken the lead at the London Stadium. With home advantage, anything is possible. The Hammers then return for a quick turnaround, facing Leeds on Sunday at the London Stadium. A huge game.
For Leeds, anyway. Sam Allardyce is likely to have pinpointed this game as the one most-likely to win in his four-game spell. Ahead of Sunday, and for West Ham – prior to Thursday – Moyes confirmed Coufal and Antonio are fit.
“Micky has travelled, so has Vladimir,” Moyes said – as per Leeds Live. “They are both doing well so hopefully they will both have a chance of playing. Everything else seems okay at the moment so hopefully we are in the clear.”
Moyes: Coufal and Antonio travel ahead of Sunday clash with Leeds
£7m man Antonio, who is in superb form and is arguably West Ham’s biggest threat, was missing from Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Brentford – not even on the bench. That might have been a precaution, given the League is not a priority.
Coufal, meanwhile, has been West Ham’s first-choice right-back for some time now. But he has been missing for his side’s last three games with a thigh issue, having been subbed on the hour against Man City. He is also back and fit.
The chances are, that given the priority placed on Europe with West Ham now safe and a Europa League place up for grabs – Antonio and Coufal could start tonight. But if they do so, then they will surely be rested this weekend.
