Soccer

    West Ham boosted by the return of Jarrod Bowen ahead of Bayer Leverkusen clash

    Planet Sport writerStaff Writer17 April 2024
    jarrod-bowen-17-apr-202416

    jarrod-bowen-17-apr-202416

    West Ham expect to have Jarrod Bowen available again to help them take on Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League on Thursday.

    The Hammers' 19-goal top scorer missed the 2-0 quarter-final first-leg defeat in Germany and Sunday's Premier League loss at home to Fulham with a hip injury.

    Bowen took part in training at West Ham's Rush Green HQ on Wednesday morning and hopes are high that he will be available against a Leverkusen side unbeaten all season.

    Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski said: "I was pleased and we were all pleased to see Jarrod training with us.

    "Jarrod is obviously a very important player for us, hopefully he will be able to help us as well."

    Manager David Moyes said: "It was great to see Jarrod out there.

    "We're not sure yet. I would never risk a player if thought they were injured but you always want your best players back in, your goalscorers as well, and Jarrod has been that this season."

    The news is a major boost to the Hammers as they attempt to inflict a first defeat of the season on Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen.

    But they will be without key Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta through suspension after he was booked in Leverkusen.

    Left-back Emerson Palmieiri is also suspended while centre-half Konstantinos Mavropanos is a doubt.