Slaven Bilic has vowed to name a 'strong' starting XI when West Ham United welcome Bolton Wanderers to London Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Hammers host the Trotters in the Carabao Cup third round, with a bumper crowd expected as the two-time finalists bid for a place in the last 16.
Bilic revealed that Mark Noble will return from a minor knee injury, while the likes of Chicharito, Joe Hart, Michail Antonio and Cheikhou Kouyate are all in the matchday squad, with a starting XI worth more than £100m set to be named by the manager.
With youngsters Declan Rice, Nathan Holland and Sead Haksabanovic also set to be included in the 18, there is plenty for fans attending the tie to get excited about, with tickets still available here from just £10 for Adults and £5 for U16s.
“It’ll be a strong side,” the Croatian confirmed. “It’s a big game for us and all we are thinking about. We are very ambitious, as are all the clubs still in the competition, and if you have a look at the round that was played a few weeks ago, most of the clubs were playing with good teams. OK, there were some changes, but mostly because you want to give the guys chance who are not playing regularly, but we are very ambitious, of course.
“We are playing home against Bolton and there are going to be some changes, but they are going to be the players who have already played for us in the Premier League this season and also last season.
“That game is all that I think about and we want to progress because you never know in a cup competition, with a little bit of luck with the draw and a few good games, you are there.”
It’ll be a strong side. It’s a big game for us and all we are thinking about
Slaven Bilic
Bilic confirmed that Andy Carroll will be rested from Tuesday’s tie, while James Collins also misses out with the ankle ligament problem he picked up in Saturday’s Premier League draw at West Bromwich Albion.
The only other confirmed absentees are Manuel Lanzini and Edimilson Fernandes, who are recovering from knee and ankle injuries respectively.
“It’s a big blow,” said Bilic, when asked for an update on Collins’ injury. “It looked worse, to be fair, and it looked like being a few months but, touch wood, it’s only going to be a couple of weeks. He just did the scan and it’s not ideal, of course, but I expected far worse based on how he got injured.”
*Standard Tickets for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup fourth round tie between West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers are on General Sale now. Secure your seat here now!