West Ham United centre-back Nayef Aguerd is set to make his second appearance for the club during the Hammers’ Europa Conference League meeting with FCSB on Thursday night.
The £30million summer signing from Stade Rennais made his long-awaited debut for the club last week in the 1-0 win over Silkeborg, having spent over three months out of action following a pre-season ankle injury sustained against Rangers in July.
Aguerd is working towards full fitness and will continue that road to recovery in Bucharest on Thursday, expected to start for the second consecutive time in the Hammers’ final Group B match of the season before entering the competition’s Round of 16 stage in March.
READ MORE: David Moyes provides West Ham team selection hint as he eyes European record vs FCSB
Against Silkeborg, Aguerd played for 76 minutes and Moyes is hopeful of getting the defender a similar run-out in Bucharest.
"We hope Nayef can play as long as we can again and we will hopefully try to get him back [to full fitness]," said Moyes.
"These games have been really good for him. We included him in the squad at the start and even though he was injured, we thought he had a chance to gt back for the last couple of the games, it's the way it's proved to be.
"Might just be a bit quick for him for the Premier League [before the World Cup] but let's see how he goes tomorrow and hopefully, he gets a part of a game under his belt."
Aguerd is expected to travel with Morocco for the World Cup in Qatar later this month. They are in Group F of the competition alongside Croatia, Belgium and Canada.
READ NEXT:
West Ham’s Conor Coventry opens up on David Moyes faith, Ireland U21s heartache and Flynn Downes
The four Crystal Palace players Patrick Vieira could be without for clash at West Ham
West Ham defender at risk of suspension ahead of Leicester City and Arsenal clashes
Jamie Redknapp tells David Moyes what West Ham must change after Manchester United defeat
Rio Ferdinand makes admission over his world record transfer to Leeds United from West Ham