Julen Lopetegui is looking likely to be without the services of Aaron Cresswell for Saturday’s Premier League fixture with Manchester City at London Stadium.
The left-back suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up ahead of West Ham United’s 1-0 home win over AFC Bournemouth which will be assessed with a scan ahead of the weekend visit of the champions.
Speaking to the media at Rush Green training ground on Thursday afternoon, the Head Coach expressed his sympathy for the long-serving No3, who made his 350th appearance for the Club in last weekend’s 2-0 Premier League win at Crystal Palace.
The Head Coach said: “With Aaron, unfortunately he suffered this injury to his hamstring in the warm-up. It was a pity because he was working very hard to have this chance and unfortunately he suffered his injury. We don’t know exactly how long he will be out, but we will wait for the medical test tomorrow or the day after to know more.
“OK, that’s why we needed to change Cress for Vladi [Coufal], so let’s see. Today and tomorrow we are going to see which players are ready to stay in the squad list and to think about the lineup too.”
One player vying for a start against Manchester City is Edson Álvarez, who returned to action after a three-month rehabilitation from his own hamstring injury at Selhurst Park, then made his comeback to the starting XI in Wednesday’s win over Bournemouth.
Lopetegui praised the Mexican midfielder’s work-rate, but knows he still needs more time to return to full match fitness.
“Edson has been out for three months so it’s not easy for him. It was his first match in the line-up [on Wednesday] and he showed big energy but it’s true that he’s going to need time to adapt and recover his best fitness for sure, because he’s an important player for us, and he’s going to do that step by step.”
With the transfer window closing on Friday evening, there could yet be incomings and departures from Lopetegui’s squad, but the Spaniard says every player remains part of the group for now and, barring injury, will be considered for selection against Pep Guardiola’s City.
“I am not going to talk about names,” he confirmed. “All of them, they are in our squad and all of them are ready to play against City. I have to take decisions and let’s see what’s going to happen, but I am not going to say here what is going to happen because first of all I am not going to tell you, and secondly I don’t know!”
The starting XI and substitutes for Saturday's game will be confirmed at 4.15pm on matchday.
