West Ham United youngster Edvin Austbø is expected to return to the squad against Millwall after the reason behind his Carabao Cup omission was clarified.
The Norwegian was surprisingly absent when Nuno Espírito Santo rotated his side for Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat to Fulham at London Stadium.
His omission prompted speculation after Austbø recently spoke openly about his ambition to eventually play at the highest possible level.
However, there is reportedly no issue between the 21-year-old and West Ham.
According to ExWHUEmployee, Austbø was left out purely because of Nuno’s selection decisions and is expected to return for Saturday’s Championship derby at The Den.
Edvin Austbø West Ham omission explained
The West Ham Way reports that Austbø’s absence had nothing to do with his recent interview.
ExWHUEmployee said the decision was “purely down to selection”, with Nuno instead wanting to reward several players who had featured during the earlier Carabao Cup victory over Southampton.
That should remove any suggestion that Austbø was being disciplined because of comments about his long-term career ambitions.
The summer arrival from Viking FK has already demonstrated why West Ham were keen to bring him to East London.
He scored and assisted after coming off the bench against Derby County before earning a start away to Bolton Wanderers.
Austbø subsequently dropped back out of the starting XI against Wrexham, with Manor Solomon returning on the left.
Read West Ham has previously examined Austbø’s ambitious comments about his West Ham future, but the latest update indicates there has been no negative reaction from Nuno or the club.
Austbø expected back for Millwall
The more significant development is that Austbø is reportedly expected to return to the matchday squad against Millwall.
Competition for attacking places remains intense.
Jarrod Bowen and Solomon are strong candidates to start out wide, while Nuno also has Divine Mukasa and several attacking options available from the bench.
That may leave Austbø fighting for substitute minutes rather than a starting role at The Den.
Read West Ham’s predicted XI against Millwall currently expects Nuno to restore most of the players rested against Fulham.
Austbø’s expected return nevertheless gives the manager another option.
The Norwegian has already shown he can change games from the bench, and Saturday’s derby could provide another opportunity if West Ham require attacking inspiration late on.
Most importantly, his Fulham absence appears to have been nothing more than a selection decision.
Any suggestion of a rift can therefore be put to one side as attention turns towards Millwall.
