David Moyes has given Alex Kral a boost by suggesting the Czech Republic midfielder may get just his third West Ham start when his team take on Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup.
The Hammers head to Aggborough Stadium for a 12:30pm kick-off against the National League North side in the fourth round and Kral is set to feature against the non-league side.
The Czech international joined West Ham on loan in the summer from Spartak Moscow but has seen his game time limited at the London Stadium and the manager has explained the reason's behind this during his pre-match press conference on Friday morning:
"Alex has been a bit unfortunate, he had a period where we had a couple of European games at the end [of the Group Stage] where he got Covid which made it difficult for him." Moyes said.
During December Moyes was missing Declan Rice through suspension when the Hammers took on Watford and in January Tomas Soucek missed two games after contracting Covid but it was Manuel Lanzini that Moyes turned to instead of Kral.
"I think Manu [Lanzini] has played particularly well and I think Alex is still getting used to the speed and the whole situation but I think we've said many times how long it can take players to get used to Premier League football and what we need. Alex is just taking a little bit of time but hopefully he'll get some football [in the] second half of the season," Moyes added.
When asked if Kral will feature from the start agaisnt Kidderminster Moyes replied: "It is a possibility. I will look at the squad. The players are fresh but I've also got to keep them fresh for what is coming up as well in the second half of the season."
Despite facing non-league opposition Moyes is taking nothing for granted and giving the home team his full respect ahead of the tie.
"In many ways, you have to give the players and teams in the non-league even more respect, because with respect you might not know all their players and their stadium so you have to do even more work to be as prepared as well as you possibly can be," Moyes said.
"We did a good job against Leeds so we have to make sure we do a good job in this round of the cup. All our draws have been hard in the cup, whether in the Carabao Cup or in Europe and now the FA Cup and I put Kidderminster in that as well, it is a tough game for us."
