West Ham United will be without defender Joël Veltman for Saturday’s EFL Championship derby against Millwall at The Den after manager Nuno Espírito Santo confirmed he remains sidelined.
Veltman was forced off during the first half of West Ham’s 6-0 victory over Wrexham before missing Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Fulham. While there was hope the 34-year-old Dutchman could recover in time for the trip across London, Nuno has officially ruled him out.
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Speaking in his pre-match press conference, as confirmed by the official West Ham United website, Nuno stated:
“We have some issues, and Joël is among those. He’s still recovering and improving, and for sure he’s not going to be involved.”
(Looking for where to watch today’s derby live? Check out our Millwall vs West Ham TV Channel & Live Stream Guide for full broadcast details on Sky Sports Main Event and ITV1.)
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Kyle Walker-Peters Set to Deputise at Right-Back
Veltman’s absence forces Nuno into at least one key change from the side that comfortably dispatched Wrexham.
Kyle Walker-Peters replaced Veltman during that victory and is the primary candidate to start at right-back at The Den. Walker-Peters’ pace and attacking threat could prove vital as West Ham look to break down Millwall’s compact defensive unit.
Positive Updates on Souček & Areola
Despite the blow of losing Veltman, Nuno offered encouraging news regarding Tomáš Souček and Alphonse Areola. Both key figures have been battling back from injury issues and are closing in on a return.
Following Tomáš Souček’s warning ahead of the derby, Nuno offered an encouraging update on his fitness:
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“Both of them are getting better,” Nuno revealed when asked about the duo’s availability.
However, the West Ham boss also hinted at further unnamed fitness concerns within the squad which he declined to specify ahead of the 12:30 PM kickoff. That leaves open the possibility of surprises when official team sheets drop at 11:30 AM.
Squad Depth & The Millwall Threat
West Ham arrive in South London with solid squad depth following extensive rotation in midweek. Edvin Austbø is expected to return to the matchday squad after his absence against Fulham was confirmed as a tactical selection decision rather than an injury.
Nuno’s side face a stern test at The Den, where Millwall will aim to unsettle the Hammers early. Millwall forward Lyndon Dykes represents the home side’s biggest goal threat, having scored in three consecutive Championship appearances.
For West Ham, all eyes now turn to whether Souček or Areola can make the bench—and who replaces Veltman in Nuno’s starting XI.
Keep an eye on Read West Ham at 11:30 AM BST for our live breakdown of the official CONFIRMED Millwall vs West Ham starting lineups!
