Kurt Zouma has given West Ham a major boost with David Moyes naming him in the side to face AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League semi-finals tonight.
Zouma suffered an ankle injury early in last month’s 4-3 defeat at Crystal Palace and missed games against Manchester United and Manchester City last week.
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There were initially concerns that the Frenchman’s season could be over but Zouma returned to training on Tuesday and starts at the London Stadium, after Moyes had downplayed his chances of featuring in the European semi-final.
“He’s had a day back, so he’s just started back really,” Moyes said. “We’re trying to see how his ankle is and how he’s getting on. Hopefully he’s making good progress.
“There’s a good chance that it’s probably too soon but we’ll see how he feels tomorrow and make a decision.”
Alphonse Areola returns as the regular cup goalkeeper but it’s otherwise as expected, with the weekend win over Manchester United effectively guaranteed the Irons’ survival and leaving the Conference League as their standout priority for the rest of the season.
West Ham XI: Areola; Kehrer, Aguerd, Zouma, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio
Subs: Fabianski, Anang, Johnson, Fornals, Lanzini, Downes, Cornet, Ings, Emerson, Potts, Mubama
