David Moyes has refused to confirm, or deny for that matter, whether Jarrod Bowen will make his long-awaited West Ham debut against Manchester City on Wednesday.
Bowen joined the club in a £25m deal on January transfer deadline day but has had to wait more than three weeks to make his debut. He wasn't registered in time to face Brighton on February 1 and the postponement of the City game last weekend put it back further.
That match has been rearranged for Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium as both sides have seen their winter breaks cut short by just a few days and gives Bowen the chance to make his debut earlier than anticipated.
Moyes didn't hold a press conference prior to the City game this week but has been speaking about the game and Bowen's chance of making his bow.
The manager said: "I have been pleased with what I have seen from Jarrod at the moment. He’s come in and settled in very quickly, he’s looked very sharp in training.
"He's obviously had loads of games, it’s not as if he’s short of match practice or match fitness in any way so I have been pleased.
"But I am also wary of putting the boys in too quickly. I have had lots of boys from the Championship in the past and I think it’s important that you put them in at the right time, the right moments, at the right time and we will just take our time and see when it’s right for Jarrod."
Moyes didn't think twice before throwing Tomas Soucek in for his debut against Brighton having made the switch from Slavia Prague on loan a few days previously so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Bowen make hi first appearance on Wednesday.
However, as he has done previously, Moyes also urged caution with Bowen and expecting too much of the 23-year-old too soon.
"I wouldn't say that [if he will start] and I wouldn't be direct as that and give you the answer even if I was," Moyes added.
"But obviously he is a talent. We need goals, he can do that. I am also very aware that we don’t need to put pressure on him too quickly."
