David Moyes could unleash Kurt Zouma in a shock early return from injury when West Ham United host Leeds at the London Stadium this Sunday, according to the Evening Standard.
Zouma has missed the Hammers’ last six Premier League games after suffering a hamstring tendon injury on December 4. Moyes had awarded the 27-year-old his 11th appearance of the season during the Irons’ 3-2 win over his former side Chelsea, following a £30m move.
Yet West Ham’s summer signing has made a rapid recovery and could now be available for this weekend’s Leeds meeting. Moyes had begun to target next week’s trip to Manchester United for the centre-half’s return when it became clear Zouma was ahead of his schedule.
Reports by The Times following Zouma’s injury indicated Moyes would be without the West Ham star for up to 12-weeks. Yet the nine-cap France international featuring on Sunday will mark just six-weeks on the sidelines. It would also mark Moyes nearing a near fully-fit unit.
Aaron Cresswell made his return from seven Premier League games spent in the treatment room against Norwich City on Wednesday. Zouma now facing Leeds or Manchester United would leave Angelo Ogbonna as West Ham’s only remaining long-term injury absence.
Should Moyes unleash Zouma when West Ham host Leeds?
Moyes will be anxious not to rush Zouma back from injury too soon and risk the West Ham defender’s fitness. Yet the Scot will take encouragement from how quickly the centre-half returned to a position where he is in contention.
Zouma was a huge influence in the Hammers’ backline prior to his injury upon joining from Chelsea in August. He established a strong partnership with Ogbonna, and stepped up with Craig Dawson after the Italian’s injury.
The Frenchman’s efforts in claret-and-blue also worked to win over pundits like Ian Wright. He was full of praise for Zouma on his Wrighty’s House Podcast in November:
“Zouma looks amazing in that team. He does, honestly, he looks amazing. You looked at him at Chelsea and there was a jittery-ness and there was this sense that you play the ball to him. But now, he’s accomplished because he knows he’s a mainstay.”
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