West Ham are reportedly ‘hopeful’ both Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen will be available for the clash with Sevilla.
The Hammers travel to Spain this week to take on the La Liga high flyers at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
However, there are major doubts over whether two of David Moyes’ key players will be in the squad for the first leg of the last 16 tie.
"I didn’t like the way he wasn’t able to put his weight through his foot."
David Moyes sweating over Jarrod Bowen and Declan Rice availability for Sevilla clash in Europa League.
✍️ @JackRosser_ https://t.co/O6trC54cEG
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) March 5, 2022
According to two separate reports from Claret & Hugh, the club are remaining positive that the duo could feature.
On Rice, the report states that the 23-year-old midfielder ‘remains uncertain’ but is ‘feeling better’ following a bug.
Meanwhile, it’s stated that the chance of Bowen featuring could be as ‘small as 10 per cent’ due to severe swelling on the 25-year-old forward’s heel.
So far this season the pair have provided a combined 31 direct goal contributions for the Hammers.
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Losing both would be a seismic blow to the West Ham chances in what is undoubtedly a difficult away trip in Europe.
Currently sat second in the Spanish top flight, Moyes will be desperate to have at last one of Rice or Bowen with the travelling party to face Sevilla.
Should neither make it, the likes of Manuel Lanzini, Mark Noble or Alex Kral may replace Rice. Whilst both Said Benrahma and Nikola Vlasic will be vying for a start in the right-sided attacking midfield role.
Without both, much of the responsibility in attack will fall on Michail Antonio and the midfield workload will fall upon Tomas Soucek to take up.
