Saki Kumagai will make her first West Ham United Women start against former club London City Lionesses on Saturday.
Rita Guarino has made four changes from the side beaten 3-1 by Tottenham Hotspur on the opening weekend of the Women’s Super League season.
Kumagai, Eva Nyström, Inès Belloumou and Kelly Gago all come into the starting XI for the 12.45pm kick-off at Chigwell Construction Stadium.
The Hammers are searching for their first points of the campaign, while London City arrive after an impressive 2-1 opening victory over Manchester United.
Kumagai starts against former club
The standout decision is Kumagai’s promotion into the starting line-up.
The 35-year-old only completed her move from London City on 4 September, signing a one-year West Ham contract after becoming Guarino’s tenth summer addition.
She began the Tottenham defeat on the bench but made an immediate impact after her introduction, assisting Viviane Asseyi’s stoppage-time goal.
Read West Ham examined Kumagai’s impressive West Ham debut against Tottenham after the World Cup winner needed only 18 minutes to register her first contribution for the club.
Guarino has now handed her a first start against the team she left little more than a week ago.
Four West Ham changes against London City
Constance Picaud-Inconnu retains her place in goal.
Nadine Riesen and Estelle Cascarino remain in the defence, with Nyström and Belloumou joining them after starting on the bench at Tottenham.
Captain Katie Zelem lines up alongside Kumagai, while Riko Ueki, Seraina Piubel, Viviane Asseyi and Gago complete the XI.
Yu Endo, Laia Codina, Oona Siren and Ebony Salmon drop out of the starting side after beginning the opening-day defeat. Tottenham’s confirmed team news shows all four were starters last weekend.
Supporters can find the broadcast details in our West Ham Women vs London City TV and streaming guide.
West Ham Women starting XI vs London City
West Ham: Picaud-Inconnu; Riesen, Nyström, Cascarino, Belloumou; Zelem (c), Kumagai; Ueki, Piubel, Asseyi; Gago.
Substitutes: Walsh, Dowsett, Endo, Siren, Tennebø, Salmon, Wareing, Peacock, Wandeler.
London City provide a significant early test after defeating Manchester United 2-1 in their opening WSL fixture, with Daniëlle van de Donk scoring the winner late on.
West Ham now need a response after their 3-1 loss at Tottenham.
