West Ham United have confirmed their starting XI to face Wrexham at London Stadium, with Nuno Espirito Santo making five changes from the midweek victory at Bolton Wanderers.
Morato makes his first start for the Hammers, while Taty Castellanos has been passed fit and returns to partner Joël Piroe in attack.
Joël Veltman, Manor Solomon and Piroe are also recalled for the 8pm Championship kick-off.
West Ham vs Wrexham confirmed line-up
West Ham have confirmed the following starting XI:
West Ham: Hermansen; Veltman, Mavropanos, Kilman, Morato; Engels, Mukasa; Bowen, Solomon; Castellanos, Piroe.
Substitutes: Herrick, Walker-Peters, Scarles, Golambeckis, Orford, Kanté, Ajala, Austbø, Pablo.
The full team was confirmed in West Ham’s official starting XI coverage ahead of kick-off at London Stadium.
Morato handed first West Ham start
The biggest defensive decision sees Morato make his first start since joining West Ham on loan from Nottingham Forest.
The Brazilian had made two substitute appearances against Derby County and Bolton but now comes into the side at left-back.
Ollie Scarles drops to the bench, while Veltman replaces Kyle Walker-Peters on the opposite side.
Morato joins Konstantinos Mavropanos and Max Kilman in the back line as Nuno rotates following Tuesday’s 3-2 win at Bolton.
The 25-year-old’s full career and season information can be found in our Morato West Ham profile.
Taty Castellanos returns for Wrexham
Castellanos’ inclusion is another major boost.
The Argentina international missed the Bolton victory after suffering an injury against Derby and had remained a fitness doubt in the build-up to Wrexham.
However, Nuno has named him from the start alongside Piroe.
Our latest West Ham injury update had tracked Castellanos’ recovery after the striker experienced pain and inflammation around a tendon.
Piroe also returns after starting on the bench at Bolton, with Pablo dropping among the substitutes.
Solomon recalled as Austbø drops out
Solomon returns on the left side of West Ham’s attack after Edvin Austbø was handed his first start at Bolton.
Captain Jarrod Bowen keeps his place on the right after scoring twice in Lancashire.
Arne Engels and Divine Mukasa continue together in central midfield, while Mohamadou Kanté drops to the bench.
Our West Ham predicted XI against Wrexham had backed Veltman, Solomon and Piroe to return, but Nuno has gone further by restoring Castellanos and handing Morato his full debut.
West Ham enter Friday’s game chasing a fourth consecutive Championship victory for the first time since November 2021.
Our full West Ham vs Wrexham preview has the form, head-to-head context and match information before kick-off.
