West Ham United have received fresh injury news ahead of Friday night’s Championship clash with Wrexham.
Nuno Espirito Santo has provided updates on Taty Castellanos, Alphonse Areola and Tomas Soucek before the 8pm kick-off at London Stadium.
Castellanos remains a doubt after missing Tuesday’s 3-2 victory over Bolton Wanderers, while Areola has emerged as a fresh concern after suffering a knock in training.
There is better long-term news surrounding Soucek, who has started taking part in sections of first-team training.
Taty Castellanos injury latest
Castellanos was absent from the entire matchday squad at Bolton after being forced off during the 3-0 victory over Derby County.
The problem had initially been described as a hamstring concern, but Nuno has now provided more detail.
According to Hayters’ report from Nuno’s pre-Wrexham press conference, Castellanos has been dealing with pain and inflammation around a tendon.
The West Ham boss said the problem is improving but stopped short of declaring the Argentina international available for Friday night.
That means Castellanos should still be considered a doubt until the matchday squad is confirmed.
His absence would leave Joël Piroe and Pablo among Nuno’s central attacking options.
Supporters can follow Castellanos’ recovery and every other first-team fitness issue through our regularly updated West Ham injury news page.
Alphonse Areola suffers dead leg
Areola is another player West Ham are assessing ahead of Wrexham.
Nuno revealed in the same Hayters injury update that the goalkeeper suffered a dead leg following a knock in training.
The problem is improving, but West Ham are assessing Areola on a day-by-day basis.
Any absence would create another selection decision for Nuno as the Hammers look to extend their three-match Championship winning run.
Areola’s condition therefore becomes one of the main developments to watch when the confirmed team is released on Friday evening.
Tomas Soucek steps up West Ham recovery
There is more encouraging news involving Soucek.
The Czech Republic international is continuing his recovery from an ankle ligament injury and has now started completing parts of training with the first-team group.
Soucek is also continuing individual work with West Ham’s fitness staff as the club ensures he is fully prepared before returning to competitive action.
Nuno stressed that getting the midfielder completely fit remains the priority rather than rushing his comeback.
Soucek has yet to play for West Ham this season, but his return to sections of team training represents another significant step towards making himself available.
West Ham team news vs Wrexham
Castellanos and Areola remain the two immediate fitness questions ahead of Friday night’s game.
Pablo has already returned from the calf problem that kept him out against Derby, while Soucek is progressing but is not yet back to full training.
West Ham enter the match having won three successive Championship games against Wolves, Derby and Bolton.
Nuno’s injury concerns will also influence his final selection, with our West Ham predicted XI vs Wrexham looking at the decisions facing the manager.
Supporters can keep track of every upcoming league and cup match through our West Ham fixtures and results page.
