Łukasz Fabiański returns to West Ham United’s starting XI as one of seven changes for Southampton’s trip to London Stadium.
After missing five matches in all competitions, the former Poland stopper makes his first start since suffering a fractured cheekbone during the Irons 4-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest in February. He is set to make his 165th appearance for West Ham today.
With only Kurt Zouma, Tomáš Souček, Jarrod Bowen and Paquetá retaining their spots in the starting XI who beat AEK Larnaca 4-0 to reach the UEFA Europa Conference League last eight, Danny Ings is back to take on his former club Southampton as West Ham look to push up the Premier League table. He seeks his ninth Premier League goal of the season today, and third for the Irons.
Thilo Kehrer, Nayef Aguerd, Emerson, Declan Rice and Saïd Benrahma complete the list of recalled players by David Moyes.
As the Irons seek to extend an unbeaten run on home turf to six games in all competitions dating back to December, Alphonse Areola drops to the bench, with Fabiański back between the sticks.
An unchanged defence from the Irons’ last league fixture - a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa – sees Kehrer, Zouma, Aguerd and Emerson across the back four.
Searching for a fifth win in their last six home meetings with the Saints, West Ham see Paquetá joined by Souček and Rice in midfield. The skipper struck in the Club’s last fixture against Southampton – a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s Stadium in October last year – and also netted over the international break, striking his third international goal in England’s 2-1 win in Italy. A goal today would see Rice score three goals in a Premier League season for the first time in his career.
Back in 2020, Bowen struck his first West Ham goal against Southampton, netting on his full home debut in a 3-1 win at London Stadium. Supporting Ings alongside Benrahma, who makes his 25th Premier League appearance of 2022/23, Bowen seeks his eleventh goal of the season today.
A strong bench sees Vladimír Coufal return to the matchday squad having missed the Hammers’ last two Premier League fixtures due to a heel injury. The Czech full-back is joined by a hatful of capped-internationals, with Areola, Michail Antonio, Pablo Fornals, Manuel Lanzini, Angelo Ogbonna, Maxwel Cornet and Aaron Cresswell all available.
Gianluca Scamacca is not available for selection, with Moyes citing a knee issue in his pre-match press conference on Friday, with Flynn Downes completing the matchday squad.
West Ham United: Fabiański, Kehrer, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson, Rice ©, Souček, Paquetá, Bowen, Benrahma, Ings
Subs: Areola (GK), Cresswell, Coufal, Fornals, Antonio, Lanzini, Downes, Cornet, Ogbonna
Southampton: Bazunu, Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Caleta-Car, Perraud, S.Armstrong, Ward-Prowse ©, Lavia, Elyounoussi, Walcott, Mara
Subs: McCarthy (GK), Lyanco, Aribo, Maitland-Niles, Diallo, Sulemana, Alcaraz, Oršić, Onuachu
Referee: Paul Tierney
