Team news: Moyes provides Fabianski update

Lukasz Fabianski


David Moyes says the Hammers will assess the fitness of Łukasz Fabiański ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Burnley.

The Poland international goalkeeper was a late withdrawal from the New Year's Day victory over Everton, and sat out last weekend's FA Cup trip to Stockport County, with Darren Randolph deputising to keep two clean sheets.

Fabiański is hoping to be fit enough to return against the Clarets on Saturday, and Moyes will make a call closer to the game.

"We've been okay with injuries recently and have only had Łukasz Fabiański and Arthur Masuaku missing," the manager explained.

"Fabián Balbuena has had to isolate too because he came into contact with somebody [who tested positive for COVID-19].

"We’re waiting on Łukasz to see how he is because we’re not sure yet, and as we know Arthur is probably a couple of months away from being involved again."

Moyes also had praise for young forward Mipo Odubeko, who was handed his senior debut as a late substitute at Stockport on Monday, saying the 18-year-old  has dealt with the adversity of injury and disruption to his footballing education due to the COVID-19 pandemic admirably.

Odubeko arrived at Chadwell Heath from Manchester United a little over a year ago, and has excelled in Claret & Blue, notching 12 goals in just nine games across the Club's U18, U21 and U23 sides.

"Mipo is somebody we’re looking forward to working with," he added. "We have big hopes for him, and [it has been tough for] young players, who have struggled at this present time because of the lack of regular training, continued break-ups of Academies due to people needing to isolate and irregular games programme because of the situation we’re in.

"He’s just back from a long-term hamstring injury too, but we like him a lot and we’ll try to bring him along at the right time and when we think we need him."