Team news: Ayew returns, Antonio and Martinez on bench

Andre Ayew

 

Andre Ayew has been drafted into David Moyes’ starting XI for tonight’s Premier League fixture at Everton.

Ghanaian Ayew replaces Andy Carroll in the West Ham United on Merseyside, with the former Liverpool centre forward being ruled out through an as yet unspecified injury.

Michail Antonio returns to the matchday squad after recovering from the rib injury that has ruled him out of the last three Premier League matches.

Youngsters Toni Martinez and Declan Rice are named alongside Antonio on the substitutes’ bench as Moyes proves he is not reluctant to give youth a chance at the highest level.

As for the starting XI, it is unchanged from Friday’s draw with Leicester City at London Stadium, save for Carroll’s absence.

That means Joe Hart starts in goal, with Pablo Zabaleta, captain Winston Reid, Angelo Ogbonna and Liverpool-born Aaron Cresswell across the back four.

The midfield will be anchored by Pedro Obiang and Cheikhou Kouyate, with Marko Arnautovic, Manuel Lanzini and Arthur Masuaku supporting Ayew in attack.

Everton boss Unsworth marks his final game in charge by recalling captain and England’s all-time leading scorer Wayne Rooney to his attack.

Everton: Pickford, Martina, Williams, Holgate, Kenny, Lennon, Gueye, Sigurdsson, Davies, Rooney ©, Calvert-Lewin
Subs: Robles (GK), Schneiderlin, Ramirez, Besic, Vlasic, Lookman, Baningime

West Ham United: Hart, Zabaleta, Reid ©, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Obiang, Kouyate, Arnautovic, Lanzini, Masuaku, Ayew
Subs: Adrian (GK), Rice, Fernandes, Noble, Antonio, Sakho, Martinez