Manager David Moyes says the majority of his squad have a clean bill of health ahead of West Ham United’s first Premier League game of the season this weekend.
The Irons make their longest journey of the season on the opening weekend of 2021/22, travelling some 283 miles to St James’ Park to kick off their campaign against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.
And following an impressive pre-season that has seen the Irons go unbeaten and win five of their seven fixtures, Moyes was largely positive in the fitness news he gave at pre-match press conference.
In the main, I’ve got knocks and niggles here and there, but hopefully everybody will be okay
David Moyes
While updates on injury concerns centred on the recoveries of Angelo Ogbonna – returning from a hamstring injury – and Manuel Lanzini, who missed the final pre-season win over Atalanta, by and large Moyes was happy with the availability of his squad for the game.
“I’ve got a couple [of injury concerns],” he said. “Angelo Ogbonna had a hamstring injury he picked up against Celtic. He’s back in some sort of training.
“Manuel Lanzini’s had a little bit of a groin problem so we’re hoping he’ll be okay, but he’s back around it as well.
“In the main, I’ve got knocks and niggles here and there, but hopefully everybody will be okay.”
Moyes also stated that he hopes to add to his West Ham United squad before the close of the summer transfer window should the right possibility arise.
“I never talk about players at other clubs because it’s not what you do when you’re a manager,” the manager observed.
“We are trying to add to the squad if we can. We’ve had, and we’ve got, some offers in for people, but not everything is coming to fruition. We’ll do our best to add to the squad before the close of the window.”
