Manuel Pellegrini confirmed both Andy Carroll and Jack Wilshere are in contention to feature in Saturday’s Premier League fixture with Manchester City.
The West Ham United pair are both back in full training after recovering from their respective ankle surgeries and could provide a double boost as the Hammers prepare to welcome the champions to London Stadium.
“Both of them worked this week every day with the squad,” Pellegrini confirmed, when asked if Carroll and Wilshere would be part of his thinking for this weekend’s match. “We will have the squad list on Friday!”
Marko is a West Ham player because he has a contract here and he is happy here
Manuel Pellegrini
Pellegrini was also asked for his thoughts on two of his star attacking players in the shape of Marko Arnautovic and Chicharito, with speculation appearing in the media that clubs could move for each of them during the January transfer window.
“Marko is a West Ham player because he has a contract here and he is happy here. Every player wants to play in the biggest team but I don’t think in the head of Marko he is thinking about that. He is thinking about West Ham and he tries to make his best performance in every game.
“I always want more from every player. For the moment, Javier has had a difficult season because it’s always difficult to return from the World Cup as you don’t have time to have a good pre-season.
“After that, he started playing one game and then he had a virus for one month or five weeks and he must start again. I think he’s a good player and we will see how he improves his performance between now and the end of the season.”
One player who will not play this Saturday but could be available for first-team duty in Claret and Blue in the New Year is Samir Nasri.
The former Manchester City and France midfielder, who won the Premier League title under Pellegrini in 2014, will see his 18-month ban for a doping offence end at midnight on 31 December.
The 31-year-old is training with the Hammers in a bid to be fully fit come 2019 and, if he is, the manager confirmed the club could seek to complete a deal to bring him to east London on a permanent basis.
“We will see. Samir Nasri is working with us after a long time with his ban, but we are giving him a hand to return to football. We are hoping, from now until the end of the year, he will be fit and if that is the case, we will try to keep him here with West Ham.
“He will stay with us until Christmas.”