West Ham United take a break from their Premier League survival fight as they host Brentford in the FA Cup on Monday. The mood at the Hammers is high after beating Fulham 1-0 in midweek, a result that see’s the team level with Nottingham Forest in 17th.
Nuno Espirito Santo will not want to let the cup tie get in the way of their forward momentum, knowing staying unbeaten and getting a good result against Brentford could be key when the team returns to league action.
West Ham will welcome back midfielder Freddie Potts for this game. The homegrown player has been out with suspension since the Hammer’s last FA Cup match, a 1-0 win over Burton Albion. Late in the victory at the League One side, Potts was sent off for a reckless challenge and has since missed the last three games.
Freddie Potts 2025/26 West Ham United Statistics
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 21 | 0 | 1 |
22-year-old Potts has been in and out of the West Ham side this season but prior to his red card, had played three straight games for the Irons. The midfielder returns as one of two players who are tipped to partner Matues Fernandes, making competition with Soungoutou Magassa.
Further team news
Elsewhere West Ham will only be without one other player. Pablo Felipe has been out with a hamstring injury for the last month and has returned to training, but is not ready for first-team action yet
The Brazilian joined the club in January from Gil Vicente and had been making an impact alongside fellow addition, Valentin Castellanos. Unfortunately, the muscle injury has cut Pablo’s run of games short, and the club are being careful with his return, given the nature of the injury.
Changes to the starting XI will be expected but Nuno has spoken of the importance of this competition, and how it can help West Ham press on in their goals. Potts will have a chance to start but the Hammers boss will be doing all he can to avoid defeat and keep the side’s momentum going.
