West Ham’s Europa League comeback hopes dealt a blow as Jarrod Bowen is set to miss out with injury – while Lucas Paqueta is suspended for the second leg against Bayer Leverkusen
- Bowen did not travel to Germany last week and also missed the defeat to Fulham
- The Hammers must overturn a two-goal deficit in the second leg on Thursday
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Jarrod Bowen will miss the second leg of West Ham’s Europa League clash with Bayer Leverkusen.
Bowen did not travel to Germany for the first leg last week, where the Hammers were beaten 2-0, and also missed Sunday’s defeat to Fulham.
Mail Sport understands Bowen will not be fit for the second leg at the London Stadium, with the forward needing more time to recover from the back injury he suffered at Wolves.
It comes as a blow to boss David Moyes, who also has to do without Lucas Paqueta and Emerson due to suspension.
Bowen, West Ham’s top scorer with 19 goals in all competitions, is expected to return before the end of the season but will not be rushed back.
Jarrod Bowen did not travel to Germany for the first leg last week and also missed West Ham’s 2-0 defeat to Fulham
David Moyes’ side are tasked with completing a historic European comeback in midweek
The Hammers will also have to make do without Lucas Paqueta, who was booked in the first leg
Moyes said last week he had no timetable for when Bowen, who suffered the injury against Wolves, would be back.
“We think when he got the knee [into his back]it’s twisted and it’s probably damaged something.
‘She [the doctors] tried to use the description of what the fast bowlers get when they bowl the ball fast, the rotation. We think that is where the damage occurred.’
West Ham will also be without youngster George Earthy, who suffered a head injury in the defeat to Fulham.
Earthy was taken to hospital but discharged and will now follow FA and Premier League concussion guidelines before returning to play.