West Ham name just FIVE outfield subs for Man City clash after sickness bug hits squad

The West Ham side were ravaged by an illness that left them with just five outfield changes ahead of their clash with Man City on Wednesday night.

Key players Tomas Soucek, Declan Rice and Nayef Aguerd are among those missing for the game, with the likes of Flynn Downes making the squad and Aaron Cresswell taking on the captaincy.

They have named just seven of nine possible substitutions, with two places taken by goalkeepers Alphonse Areola and Joseph Anang.

The bug couldn’t have come at a worse time with the Hammers still not safe from relegation after back-to-back defeats.

They face a City side who can top with a win, although Pep Guardiola has also made changes.

Kevin de Bruyne will miss the match due to an injury, while Ilkay Gundogan and Ederson are resting.

Moyes admitted his squad plans were affected by the bug, as he told Sky Sports: We chose our team last night. Some of them are too sick, so we had to change the team.

‘Hopefully it’s not too bad. We had mentioned some players who are not in the squad, but two or three of them are sick and there is nothing we can do about that. It will give other players opportunities.

“It was always a tough game, we’ve been here a few times and got something. We’ll make it hard. We want a good performance here tonight, but if we don’t get that and we win, we’ll take that.

Speaking of City’s in-form striker Erling Haaland, he added: “They have a super striker and other good players as well, we have to hope he doesn’t have a good night.”

“There have been some great Eredivisie centre-backs over the last year who would love the challenge from Haaland, we have to hope they are ready tonight.”

Despite their absentee list, West Ham are currently holding out at the Etihadm, where the game remains goalless.