Nuno Espirito Santo has praised James Ward-Prowse for his professionalism after being frozen out by the West Ham manager.
Ward-Prowse has yet to be included in a matchday squad since Nuno took charge of West Ham two months ago, and now looks likely to leave the club in January.
The midfielder was a mainstay under Graham Potter, starting each of West Ham’s first five Premier League games, but has since been frozen out.
Ward-Prowse’s exclusion under Nuno has been exacerbated by the Portuguese instead giving several players cast out under Potter a second chance.
This includes fellow midfielders Andy Irving and Luis Guilherme, who Nuno has handed rare starts to as he looks to turn around the club’s fortunes.
Irving last month against Brentford, made his first Premier League start since arriving at West Ham in September 2023.
Guilherme, 19, was, last weekend against Bournemouth, handed just his second start in place of the suspended Lucas Paqueta.
Asked what Ward-Prowse must do to earn a place in his side, Nuno spoke of commitment and maintained that every decision he made was for the benefit of the club.
He told reporters: “All the players are committed, working hard. It's not an easy situation, but believe me, making the squad and deciding is tough. But we decide for the best.”
Ward-Prowse is looking increasingly likely to leave West Ham in January, whether on loan or permanently.
But speaking about West Ham’s own plans for the January window, Nuno remained tight-lipped. He told reporters: “Now is not the moment.
“I think when we have to sit down is when the window opens. But the club has all the tools that they need.”
