West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic looks set to make at least four changes from the side that beat Bournemouth for big Europa League decider.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic
The Hammers entertain Romanian champions Astra Giurgiu in the second leg of their Europa League qualifying play-off match at the London Stadium tonight.
The sides are level 1-1 on aggregate after the first leg in Romania last week with Bilic’s men having secured what could be a precious away goal.
The winner of the tie will qualify for the Europa League proper and progress is essential for the Hammers if they want to continue to grow on and off the pitch now they have moved into their 60,000 seater home.
West Ham stars Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet
Bilic has suffered a wave of injuries to key players already this season with Andy Carroll, new record signing Andre Ayew, Aaron Cresswell, Diafra Sakho, Sofiane Feghouli, Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini all sidelined.
There was some light at the end of the tunnel this week, though, when Bilic suggest one of the talismanic duo Payet and Lanzini could make the bench for the game.
While the former Croatia boss insists his only focus is on qualifying for the group stages, he will undoubtedly have one eye on an increasingly daunting trip to Premier League title hopefuls Manchester City on Sunday.
Based on the teams he has selected for previous Europa League matches, fitness and form, Bilic looks set to make at least four changes for the visit of Astra.
Darren Randolph
Randolph in for Adrian
Randolph has proved more than an able deputy for Adrian and Bilic has made it public that he will play all Europa League and domestic cup games.
Adrian is Bilic’s number one but there is little to choose between the pair nowadays and the man who starred for the Republic of Ireland at Euro 2016 will be restored for this one.
Angelo Ogbonna should come in for James Collins
Ogbonna in for Collins
West Ham’s Ginger Pele, as he is affectionately known on the terraces, looked solid against Bournemouth and has started both the Hammers’ Premier League games so far this season.
He was partly to blame for Astra’s goal in the first leg after coming on as a late sub.
Angelo Ogbonna was given an extended break having been involved in Italy’s Euro 2016 exploits but he played in the first leg in Romania last week and looks set to come back in to give that much needed experience.
Reece Burke
Burke in for Masuaku
Arthur Masuaku has been a revelation already for West Ham having signed from Olympiakos following Aaron Cresswell’s injury.
Solid at the back, skillful, pacy and composed on the ball with a lovely range of passing the Frenchman looks a real find.
Unfortunately for Hammers fans he is cup-tied and will not be available as was the case in the first leg.
Highly promising young defender Reece Burke looks set to celebrate signing a new four-year deal this week by coming back into the side as a makeshift left-back after performing well there in the first leg.
Jonathan Calleri looks a good bet to open his West Ham account
Calleri in for Valencia
Argentinian striker Jonathan Calleri has had a whirlwind start to life in East London.
He made his debut in the first leg against Astra last Thursday just a day after jetting in to sign from South America.
Big things are expected of Calleri, who is on loan for the season, and he has been desperately unfortunate not to score against both Astra and then Bournemouth last time out.
Expect to see him replace Enner Valencia, who is fast becoming West Ham’s scapegoat with some infuriatingly lacklustre displays.
And given how sharp he has looked so far Calleri looks a good bet to open his account for the Hammers in this one.
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