West Ham's disastrous international break from Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen injuries to Vladimir Coufal being sent home
20/11/2023 12:49
West Ham’s preparations for Saturday’s clash at Burnley have hit a snag following a horror international break.
The Hammers, who sit ninth in the Premier League table, have seen injuries sustained to key players ahead of their trip to Turf Moor – live on talkSPORT 2.
And they have also seen one of David Moyes‘ regulars being sent home from international duty for violating team rules.
That is in addition to two of their starters suffering from uninspired performances.
Here takes a look at the setback the east London outfit have suffered in recent days.
Jarrod Bowen
In a huge blow for West Ham – and England boss Gareth Southgate – the forward has had to pull out of the Three Lions squad.
In contention to feature in England’s final Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia, the 26-year-old picked up a knock in training.
It is understood Bowen has suffered a knee issue, but the severity of the problem is unclear with the Hammers ace set for a scan.
And, speaking to talkSPORT’s England correspondent Faye Carruthers, Southgate insisted no chances were being taken.
The England manager said: “Unfortunately Jarrod Bowen has picked up a bit of a knock in training which needs a little bit more assessment before we’re completely clear whether it would be the right thing to play or not.”
Bowen would be a huge blow for West Ham should he be set for a spell on the sidelines, having scored nine goals in all competitions this season.
Michael Antonio
To make matters worse for the Europa Conference League holders, Bowen’s fellow forward Antonio picked up an injury of his own.
He went off inside the opening 20 minutes of Jamaica’s eventual 2-1 defeat against Canada in their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final first-leg clash.
A video emerged on social media of the 33-year-old limping as he made his way down the tunnel.
Reports online state that he has either suffered a hamstring knock, or has potentially picked up ligament damage.
Antonio is West Ham’s starting striker, with Bowen deputising as centre-forward when he is unavailable.
Should the pair both miss the upcoming fixture at Turf Moor, Moyes could turn to Danny Ings to lead the line.
Tomas Soucek
Another potential injury scare, the Czech Republic midfielder suffered a horror head gash during Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Poland.
The 28-year-old, whose goal earned the visitors a vital point in their quest to secure an automatic qualification spot, required lengthy medical treatment.
He was was accidentally kicked in the head by Southampton defender Jan Bednarek while falling to the ground in his attempt to make a challenge.
Left bloodied by the incident, he managed to play the rest of the game after getting bandaged up, with the Czech national team uploading a picture of his wound on Instagram post-match.
He may be smiling in the photo, but Moyes won’t be best pleased if club doctors determine he has to sit out the next match.
Vladimir Coufal
Thankfully for the Hammers, Soucek’s international teammate hasn’t added to their minor injury crisis.
Though he did leave the national team in disgrace having been sent home ahead of tonight’s crucial clash against Moldova.
The right-back was one of three players to leave the squad with immediate effect.
Czech news outlet iSport has claimed that Coufal along with Jakub Brabec and Jan Kuchta broke team rules by going out partying ahead of the game.
The news outlet also stated that the trio were seen drinking alcohol.
While Coufal is available to face the Clarets, Moyes won’t be too happy with how he has returned to the club’s Rush Green training centre.
Poor displays
As any club would want, not only are teams desperate for their players to return from the international break injury-free, but also high on confidence.
But that may not be the case in regards to Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez.
Kudus struggled to make an impact as Ghana laboured to a 1-0 win against Madagascar – ranked 108th by FIFA.
As for Alvarez, his Mexico side are on the verge of a shock Nations League exit after losing 2-0 in their first leg away at Honduras.
Mexico have a second leg to turn things around on Wednesday, otherwise Alvarez will be returning to West Ham hugely disappointed.
