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Zabaleta’s adaptability can be useful for West Ham in injury crisis

David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United looks on during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Crystal Palace at London Stadium on Ja...
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The West Ham United defender filled in as a midfielder against Crystal Palace.

Pablo Zabaleta of West Ham takes a throw in during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Wembley Stadium on January 4, 2018 in London, England.

Selecting a starting eleven is a difficult task for David Moyes at present, with the West Ham United manager having a host of injury problems to contend with.

Thankfully, West Ham can call upon Pablo Zabaleta, with the versatile defender slotting in as a central midfielder in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace last night.

Pablo Zabaleta of West Ham United is challenged by Yohan Cabaye of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Crystal Palace at London Stadium on January 30,...

Zabaleta has fleeting prior experience of playing as a midfielder from his time at Manchester City and the 33-year-old produced a composed performance against Palace as he provided some much-needed protection to the West Ham defence.

Moyes will hope that West Ham’s injury situation will quickly start to improve, but he will be grateful that he can call upon Zabaleta, who demonstrated his professionalism with his display last night.

Pablo Zabaleta of West Ham United and Alex Rodman of Shrewsbury Town during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round Replay match between West Ham United and Shrewsbury Town at London Stadium on...

Playing in midfield certainly won’t be a long term venture for Zabaleta but West Ham do at least now have another option if they find themselves lacking numbers in that department again.

West Ham are back in action again on Saturday when they face Brighton & Hove Albion away and they will know that, wherever he is deployed, Zabaleta will produce a committed performance.