Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Leeds Live
Leeds Live
Sport
Joe Donnohue

Marcelo Bielsa given boost as misfiring West Ham striker set to replace injured Michail Antonio against Leeds United

David Moyes was left reeling by a refereeing decision during West Ham United's 3-1 defeat to former employers Manchester United last weekend, and there will be no let up as he readies his team to face Leeds United in three days' time.

The Scot felt the ball had left the field of play as it looped up into the air in the build up to Manchester United's equalising goal at the London Stadium, which led to the Hammers eventual downfall.

He will face more problems this weekend as his side visit Elland Road to take on Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United without key man Michail Antonio.

Leeds FFOTY 2020

Football.London report that it is likely misfiring French forward Sebastien Haller will start up front for the Hammers given that Antonio is not yet fully fit.

Antonio was not named in the squad to face Manchester United at the weekend and Moyes admits he may be faced with a similar issue this coming Friday.

“Hopefully, it's not too bad. He's still having a bit of problem with his hamstring. We hope he won't be too long," he said, unsure of the 30-year-old's return to the first-team fold.

That means Haller will be tasked with scoring West Ham's goals once again, something he has found all too difficult since making the move to London.

He arrived to much intrigue following his excellent spell in Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt where he and Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic worked well together. However, just two goals in ten Premier League outings this season suggests he may be in for another barren goalscoring campaign.

Last year, Haller notched seven goals but patience grew thin towards the end of the season when he lost his place in the starting line-up. He started this season as Moyes' back-up striker, appearing - and scoring - against League One opposition in the EFL Cup.

Despite netting 13 goals in English football, Haller has predominantly scored against sides in lower divisions or teams who have gone on to be relegated.

This serves as a boost to Marcelo Bielsa who may be required to blood Diego Llorente from the beginning once again, if Robin Koch does not recover from injury in time for Friday's fixture.

Koch was substituted in the ninth minute against Chelsea, making way for Llorente's Whites' debut. The Spaniard and Liam Cooper are a relatively untested pairing at the back, therefore a striker low on confidence and struggling for form is a more favourable opponent to face.

Leeds entertain West Ham at 8pm on Friday 11th December, a game in which the hosts can leapfrog the visiting Hammers in the Premier League table - albeit with a four-goal swing in goal difference.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.