Slaven Bilic’s major selection dilemma ahead of West Ham’s crucial Europa League decider

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Slaven Bilic is facing a major selection dilemma ahead of West Ham United’s Europa League decider with a trip to Manchester City looming large.

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 on Thursday night.

The sides are level 1-1 on aggregate after the first leg in Romania last week with Bilic’s side 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’s Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet could return

Wave of injuries but rare good news

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 talisman Payet and his attacking partner in crime Lanzini could both be fit for Astra.

While it would be a big boost, it would also leave Bilic with a major selection headache given his side travel to the Etihad to face Pep Guardiola’s title favourites Manchester City three days later.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has enjoyed a fine start to life with the Blues

Daunting trip to Etihad looms large

City have started the season on fire and are scoring goals for fun while West Ham’s injuries have made it difficult for them to reach last season’s high standards as yet.

Bilic may well throw caution to the wind and use one of his recovering stars in the Astra game in the hope they can provide the spark to see off the visitors.

That would leave the other fresher for the daunting trip to Manchester where both could be used in the knowledge an international break will allow plenty of time to recuperate afterwards.