Lanzini back in contention
WHUFC.com
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has confirmed that Manuel Lanzini is hoping to be back in contention for the Premier League game against Leicester on Saturday. Lanzini was forced to miss the 4-1 Boxing Day victory over Swansea after picking up a rib injury during the last home win over Hull at London Stadium.
The Argentine midfielder was forced to rest over the Christmas period, but he is now hoping to resume training with the rest of the first-team squad and declare his fitness for the game at the King Power Stadium. Spanish midfielder Pedro Obiang is also available for selection once again after serving a one-match ban against Swansea. Bilic said: "Manuel Lanzini will train with us and we will see for Leicester because he got a knock in his abdominal part (of his body) against Hull and missed the Swansea game. "He missed a few training sessions but will be back with us for the first time (on Thursday) so we will see for the Leicester game.
"Everyone else who played in the Swansea game should be okay. We had a regeneration session for the players who featured against Swansea on Wednesday.
"Obiang is back from suspension and we are going to have a good team."
There was more good news on the injury front after Bilic revealed that talented duo Sam Byram and Reece Oxford are also back training with the first-team squad this week. Byram has been ruled out of action since the start of October after picking up a hamstring injury during the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough. Oxford, who recently signed a new four-and-a-half year contract with the Club, has also faced a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury, but both players are now closing in on a return to action. Bilic added: "Sam started to train with us on Wednesday and he is looking good. We are going to see about his match fitness because he lacks some of it, but it is good to have him back in training. "Reece Oxford starts training for the first time in five or six weeks because of his ankle so the players are coming back. "Next week we should have James Collins back as well. A few of them are going to be back in action."
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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com
Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke issues his final update of 2016 – in association with Spire Roding Hospital...
Hello everybody and welcome to the final From the Treatment Room of 2016.
We have had a very good couple of weeks and we hope this will continue. I am an optimist and the situation does not look too bad as we go into the busy New Year period of three games in seven days. We are happy that Manuel Lanzini, Simone Zaza, Reece Oxford and Sam Byram are all back in training with the first-team squad. We have five injuries at present – Diafra Sakho, Arthur Masuaku, Alvaro Arbeloa, Gokhan Tore – and James Collins, who is set to return to training next week. All the other senior players are in full training.
After suffering back pain, Diafra underwent a successful operation before Christmas. He is currently resting and will undergo a period of rehabilitation with the aim of returning him to the pitch in the spring. Arthur injured his knee in training and is still several weeks away from a return. Ginge pulled his calf in the game against Arsenal. He is working individually on the pitch and in the gym rebuilding his fitness. Alvaro is recovering from a nasty contusion he suffered in the Arsenal game. He has been on crutches for a few weeks but started a more active recovery phase on Wednesday. He will be out for several more weeks. Gokhan has undergone knee surgery in Europe after suffering a serious injury in training and is now continuing his rehabilitation with his parent club, Besiktas. He will be out for a long period.
The most challenging aspect for the medical and sports science department at this time of year is striking the balance between training, games and recovery.
We are not complaining, because lots of matches in a short space of time over Christmas and New Year is a great tradition of English football, but if you play two games in three days, it becomes impossible to recover players and have them perform again at the same level 48 hours later. We have a great group of players, great staff and great management, but you can only do so much. You try to control as many aspects as you can, but as football is a high-intensity, contact, team sport your body needs time to recover. It becomes more of a lottery for the players if you play two matches in 48 hours, where you can lose the quality of the game and put the players at risk of injury.
As I said, Boxing Day and New Year football is a tradition of English football that should not be lost, but maybe we should look to introduce a winter break in January.
Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science
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Feghouli to face 'two brothers'
WHUFC.com
Sofiane Feghouli set to face two Algeria teammates at Leicester City on New Year's Eve
Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani both expected to feature in Premier League fixture
West Ham United winger hoping to feature after setting up a goal on Boxing Day
Sofiane Feghouli is relishing the opportunity to share the pitch with 'two brothers' when West Ham United travel to Leicester City on New Year's Eve.
Hammers winger Feghouli and Foxes forwards Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani are all stars of the Algeria national team, helping The Greens to reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 and the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
Between them, the trio have been capped more than 100 times, have scored 40 international goals and won three of the last four the Algerian Footballer of the Year awards – Feghouli in 2012, Slimani in 2013 and Mahrez in 2015.
On Saturday, the three Desert Warriors will come face to face at the King Power Stadium, where the in-form West Ham will seek to heap further misery on the struggling champions.
"It's a match against two teammates, two brothers, so it's always a pleasure to play against them," Feghouli told whufc.com. "I hope we will be able to win it to climb up the table again and to make our supporters happy."
The No7 helped the Hammers to do just that at Swansea City on Boxing Day, where he appeared as a substitute and assisted Andy Carroll's emphatic fourth in a 4-1 Premier League victory.
"It was a very good result for the team. We scored four goals and won 4-1, it's never easy to score so many goals especially away from home, so it's very good for the confidence," he confirmed.
"It was the third victory on the trot, we need to keep it up and try to do better and to improve and work on our weaknesses and eliminate any errors.
"There are some things that come naturally to me, and with Andy, I know that when I tear down the wing, he likes to hang back and wait at the back post to be able to win the ball. I knew he was in that area so I was happy that he scored and also happy that I was able to deliver a decisive pass."
Following Saturday's trip to Leicester and the visit of Manchester United to London Stadium on 2 January, Feghouli will pack his bags to join Mahrez, Slimani and his Algeria teammates in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Sofiane FeghouliThe Greens face North African neighbours Tunisia, Zimbabwe and Cheikhou Kouyate's Senegal in the group stage, with Algeria's tournament kicking-off in Gabon on Sunday 15 January.
"First of all there's a match and I'm concentrated and focussed on the match with Leicester, then after there's the preparation for the African Nations Cup," he confirmed.
"It's very important for me and for the Algerian team and for all the fans of the Algerian national team.
"So, we're going to make it our job to prepare well, to get to know our upcoming opposition, and above all we're going to turn up determined to make a success of our tournament."
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Bilic on January transfer window
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic admits the Club are working hard behind the scenes to strengthen the squad in January and says they will look to attract players with Premier League experience.
The Hammers are set to lose three key players to the Africa Cup of Nations with Andre Ayew, Cheikhou Kouyate and Sofiane Feghouli departing next week.
Bilic has always maintained that he is happy with the quality of players he has in the squad, but will look to bring in more new signings if the right player becomes available.
Juventus defender Patrice Evra is the latest big name to be linked with a move to the east London Club, but the Hammers boss insists the former Manchester United defender is not a player they are looking to sign and has other targets that the Club will look to pursue over the coming weeks.
Bilic said: "I think we are the Club that are linked with the most players in Europe. 95 per cent of that is not true. It is definitely not true with Evra. He's a great player but in that position we are well covered.
"You have boxes you would like and you want the players to tick all the boxes. Young, cheap, scoring goals, if they have experience in the Premier League, they are handsome!
"Unfortunately you can't have players like that all the time as other clubs are looking for them. We are trying so many times. English and British players have priority as this is an English club.
"Even the great players need time to settle in. That is why we are looking for players who play in this league, then the risk is lower. But therefore the players are very expensive or very few, but we are trying to find them.
"In the African Cup we will be without Kouyate, Ayew, Feghouli, that's three, Sakho is not involved as he us injured.
"We don't have a big squad, but without three of them we are good if we don't get any injuries or suspensions but we are a bit overstretched.
"We're not panicking. We're trying to get a couple, maximum of three but we won't buy for the sake of it. If we find someone who can tick most of the boxes - apart from the handsome one - we will do it! If not we will hope that we won't get injuries."
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SLAVEN BILIC'S PRESS CONFERENCE COVERED HERE
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 29 DECEMBER 2016 AT 12:42PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
In an exciting new feature for the site we are delighted to announce that we will be able to cover Slaven Bilic's press conference and all the questions and answers that he gives. The site has further exciting news coming our way soon and we appreciate all your support within our first year of growth!
Have you got any injury updates for us?
"We will see on Lanzini for the Leicester City game because he took a knock during the Hull game in the first half and has missed some training sessions" "Sam Byram started training with the first team yesterday and Reece Oxford will start today. "James Collins will be back next week".
What is your expectations for the Leicester game?
To continue on and build on the performances especially the one against Swansea. It will be a hard game but we are in form and we are very positive.
What have you made of their results this season?
The only way was down from last season because they performed one of the biggest achievements in football history last year so it was very hard for the management to sustain it. The Champions League has also been a distraction although they are doing very well in this. They have the quality and resources to turn it around.
What's your reaction to Bob Bradley's departure?
He didn't get a fair chance. He wasn't there long enough and he had no preseason with the squad and the games come thick and fast and it was very hard for him. I am not a fan of that kind of culture towards managers who do not get enough chance to establish their mark on a team. I wasn't shocked about it though but I am disappointed.
The winning run that we are on how long will it continue?
I don't know but we just hope that by putting the shifts in, confidence and fitness will increase and you don't want it to stop but of course it will not last forever.
In terms of the strikers how happy are you with them?
It is better now, we have been missing them until now. It was a long period to be without Carroll, Ayew and Sakho and was a big blow for us.
With a player like Andy Carroll, who has had a lot of injuries, how do you manage someone who plays with no fear and help them prevent injuries?
Training prevents the injuries. It is wrong to think rest is the best way to do it. We don't train all the time when games are close together but the best way to prevent injuries is through training.
Do you set him goalscoring targets?
No. He brings more to the team than just goals. He contributes in every aspects of the games.
With January round the corner, Evra has been linked? Any news?
We are the club linked with the most players in Europe. It is definitely not true with Evra, ok he is a great player and all that but we are very well covered in that position with Cresswell and Masuaku (Exactly the words of Ex on the radio show last night which you can listen to here: (http://www.phoenixfm.com/2016/12/28/the-west-ham-way-show-23/)
Will you be looking at domestic players?
There are lots of things we will be looking at and this is a factor that we would consider but you have to look at what is the best available. Yes we are trying for English or British players and we have priorities but even more so players with experience in the Premier League. I'm not saying it's the best league but it is a different league so the risk is lower if they have played here before but they are very expensive. You hope all the players you are getting tick all the boxes. If they have experience, if they are handsome!
Does the current league position help attract players?
Yes, for the moment it helps but we are only half way through the season but things can change. We are always linked with players because we are an attractive club to play for.
How many players are you looking at?
We have to be careful we speak a lot about it but because of the African Nations we are going to be without three players so we need to replace them. We are ok if we don't get any injuries or suspensions but we are tight it's hard because you don't want players who will just play a few games and then not play again. January is not a great time to buy, we are not going to panic but we will try. A maximum of three but we are not going to buy for the sake of buying.
Is one of those players Defoe?
He is a very good player. The way he plays for Sunderland and scores goals, he is a top player. I have a few midfielders from different countries saying his movement is the best that they have played with. He is a Sunderland player so I cannot speak about that.
Are you pleased or upset that Ayew is going to the African Nations having come back from injury?
It's a big blow for us that he is going because he is looking good and building his fitness up after a long time out. Now he is going he won't be able to show that for us but it is a big tournament for him where we cannot do anything about and I wouldn't ever stop a player playing for his country.
Were your comments about players playing with a lack of intensity after Arsenal the turning point?
Yes but having players who attend training regularly is the most important thing and now their injuries are recovering we are starting to see that now.
On the back of the Tottenham penalty last night are you clear on the new rules?
Yes but rules that are not black or white are hard to explain. I didn't watch the second half so I didn't see it but I know what you mean, I am against double punishment. It can destroy the game. One punishment should be enough but then look at Palace; they had a penalty which should have a been a goal, they missed it so they got nothing however I am totally against double punishment.
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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic rules out January move for Patrice Evra
By Mark Crellin
Last Updated: 29/12/16 4:29pm
SSN
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic says he is not planning to make a bid for Juventus full-back Patrice Evra during the January transfer window. It has been reported that former Manchester United defender Evra is keen on a return to the Premier League with London Stadium tipped as a possible destination. But Bilic insists he has sufficient cover in that position and will instead focus on strengthening other areas of his squad, with the Croat targeting players with Premier League experience.
Bilic said: "We are the club that is linked with the most players in Europe! "Every player that is available, it is always West Ham. "Ninety-five per cent of that is not true, definitely not true with Evra. "OK, he is a great player, but at that position we are well-covered. We are not going to panic and will try and get a couple of players. "We want players who have Premier League experience."
Veteran forward Jermain Defoe has also been linked with a return to West Ham and, while refusing to confirm his interest, Bilic spoke of his admiration for the Sunderland man. "A very good player of course," said Bilic. "He is playing well for Sunderland and he is scoring goals. "I have a few midfielders from different countries telling me his movement is the best, from the strikers they play with. "But he is a Sunderland player, so I am not going to talk about it."
West Ham are now 11th in the table after three consecutive wins. They travel to Leicester on New Year's Eve before hosting Manchester United on January 2, live on Sky Sports. The Hammers began the hectic post-Christmas period with an impressive 4-1 win at Swansea and Blic says they need to keep up the momentum at the home of the struggling champions on Saturday. "The confidence is back with the points we are taking and we don't want it to stop," said Bilic. "We have to continue to play like this. "Leicester are not happy about their position in the Premier League but they have the quality and the resources. They should be all right."
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West Ham and Stoke interested in RB Leipzig striker Davie Selke - Sky sources
By Dev Trehan
Last Updated: 29/12/16 9:35am
SSN
West Ham and Stoke are among the clubs interested in RB Leipzig striker Davie Selke, Sky sources understand. The Germany U21 international has been linked with a move away from Leipzig, who sit second in the Bundesliga, after finding first-team opportunities limited this term. Selke has scored two goals this season but has only started one game for Ralph Hasenhuttl's side. His father has told Sky Germany: "I will not comment on any of these inquiries, but one thing is clear: we want to see a way and a perspective for Davie. "His current situation [not playing] must not be a permanent state. The situation is not satisfactory and this is also the responsibility of RB Leipzig". Selke dropped down a division to join Leipzig from Werder Bremen in the summer of 2015 for a then-German second tier record fee of €8m (£6.8m). The striker, who turns 22 next month, scored 10 goals as helped Leipzig win promotion last season before going on to represent Germany at the Rio Olympics last summer.
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Torino Look At West Ham Linked Goalkeeper As Joe Hart Replacement
Inside.futbol
Torino are eyeing a summer move for Roma loanee and West Ham linked goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski as a replacement for Joe Hart. Currently on loan at Empoli, the 25-year-old goalkeeper has managed to attract the prying eyes of a few clubs in Europe with his performances in the Italian top tier Torino signed Hart from Manchester City on a season-long loan deal, but are afraid that the England goalkeeper will return to his homeland in the summer, without committing to a long term contract. And the Serie A club are keen to avoid any confusion and according to Sky Italia, they have identified Skorupski as the man to replace Hart between the sticks at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. The club are expected to open talks with Roma for the signature of the 25-year-old Polish custodian in the summer and are hopeful of getting a deal over the line when the time comes.
However, Torino are expected to face stiff competition from Premier League club West Ham as the east Londoners are also on the lookout for a new number one and have identified Skorupski as a possible summer recruit. The greater financial muscle of the London club could throw Torino's plans to sign the Pole into doubt and the speculation over his future is only going to gather more pace in the summer months.
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CRYSTAL PALACE BATTLE WEST HAM FOR CARL JENKINSON
MICHAEL OLIVER @themikeoliver
ReadWestHam
West Ham are looking for a new right-back in January and could move for Carl Jenkinson on loan for a third time. The England international joined the Hammers initially on loan for the 2014/15 season where he was largely impressive at right-back, giving the Hammers an extra dimension down that side of the field.
Slaven Bilic renewed the deal during his first season in charge of West Ham and Jenkinson's form dipped before an ACL injury back in January forced Bilic's hand who then terminated the deal. Now Jenkinson is back to full fitness and again on the outside looking in at the Emirates, he is being touted again for a loan move with West Ham amongst possible suitors. However, according to the Croydon Advertiser, Crystal Palace are ready to battle West Ham for the former Charlton youth standout. New Crystal Palace manager, Sam Allardyce, was the man who initially brought Jenkinson to West ham during his time in charge, so perhaps he could be looking to link up with Allardyce once again. West Ham are willing to let Alvaro Arbeloa leave the club next month and Jenkinson would be a like-for-like replacement.
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West Ham FC transfer news: Slaven Bilic refuses to rule out Jermain Defoe move but insists he is not interested in Patrice Evra
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Thursday, December 29, 2016
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has refused to rule out a move for Jermain Defoe - but has denied any interest in Patrice Evra. Defoe has been closely linked with a January return to the Hammers having starred for Premier League rivals Sunderland. Bilic was coy when asked about a potential bid for the 34-year-old on Thursday, but talked up the ex-England frontman's talents and did not quash the rumours. "He is a very good player and [I see] the way he plays for Sunderland and is scoring goals," he said. "I have a few midfielders from different countries telling me his movement is the best, from the strikers they play with. "But he is a Sunderland player, so I am not going to talk about it."
While West Ham could be in for Defoe, Bilic rubbished reports he is interested in a deal for Patrice Evra. The 35-year-old former Manchester United defender is set to leave Juventus in January and has been linked with a switch to the London Stadium. "Our club is linked with the most players in Europe," said Bilic. "Every player, who is available is always linked with West Ham. I would say 95 per cent of that is not true and definitely not with Evra. "He is a great player, but in that position we are well covered."
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West Ham FC news: Simone Zaza in talks with Valencia as striker's father confirms Hammers career is 'finished'
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Simone Zaza's 'adventure' at West Ham is over, his father has confirmed. The striker arrived from Juventus on a season-long loan spell in the summer but has had a dreadful time of it in east London. The 25-year-old has failed to score in his 12 first-team appearances for the club and will now cut short his loan. His father, Antonio Zaza, told Tuttosport: "The West Ham adventure is finished and we are looking at different options for his future." Another loan, this time to Valencia, has been mooted for the second half of the season while it has also been suggested that he may attempt to fight for his place back at Juve. Zaza senior added: "We're speaking with Valencia but theirs is not the only concrete option we're considering. "Of course, my son would love to be coached by a great coach like [Valencia manager] Cesare Prandelli, but it's possible that Simone could return to Serie A. "We are not considering the possibility of a return to Juventus. We're a long, long way from that point of view."
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Former West Ham striker Carlos Tevez joins Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua in £70m switch
TOM DUTTON
Eveing Standard
Former West Ham striker Carlos Tevez has joined Chinese Super League club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua. The Chinese club announced the signing of Tevez from Argentinian side Boca Juniors on Thursday in a statement on their official website. Shanghai are reported to have agreed a deal worth £70million for the forward, including a salary of more than £500,000 a week. "Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC reached a transfer agreement with Argentina Club Atletico Boca Juniors. Carlos Alberto Tevez is officially joined Shanghai Shenhua," the statement said. Thirty-two-year-old Tevez, who has also played for Manchester United, Manchester City, Corinthians and Juventus, will play for Gus Poyet's side next season after scoring 25 goals in 56 matches for Boca Juniors. Shanghai finished fourth in last year's Chinese Super League standings.
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West Ham United set for double boost in January transfer window with Simone Zaza exit and Patrice Evra
Guardian Series
25 mins ago / Shona Duthie, Sports reporter / @shonaduthie4
West Ham United's boss Slaven Bilic could receive a late Christmas present with Juventus willing to loan Patrice Evra to east London and take back Simone Zaza.
According to The Sun, the former Manchester United player is unhappy at spending most of the season on the bench and has fallen foul of boss Max Allegri. It was also mentioned the Italian club are happy with his strong social media profile. Evra's relationship with the Bianconeri boss came to a head following the Italian Super Cup defeat to AC Milan with the former accusing Evra of poor marking against Susu for Giacomo Bonaventura's equalising goal. Evra still believes he can compete at the highest level and in his eight-and-a-half years spell at Manchester United he won the Premier League five times and the Champions League.
West Ham initially agreed to pay the fee to make the Zaza loan deal permanent back in the Summer but with him failing to impress it is unlikely the east Londoners will now do so. Valencia has also shown an interest in the forward meaning Juve will want the player to return to sell him before his contract expires It looks as though West Ham's January period could brighten up.
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