DAVID MOYES has insisted West Ham’s full focus is on tomorrow’s trip to Wolves and not their Europa League clash with Bayer Leverkusen next week.
The Hammers are in the middle of another busy period but Moyes failed to make a single substitution during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham, which came three days after a 4-3 loss at Newcastle.
Even though seventh-placed West Ham have an eagerly anticipated trip to unbeaten Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen on the horizon, the 60-year-old will not consider rotation this weekend.
“I’m not even thinking about it,” Moyes told reporters today.
“Just thinking about the next game. It’s brilliant and we’re really excited that we’ve got European football. Once again [a] quarter-final coming into mid-April.
“To be sitting where we are in the league at the moment, we know it’s difficult because we’ve got a lot of teams around us as well, but we’re in a great position and we’re in Europe.
“If you’d have given me this at the start of the season, I’d have said, ‘Any time you like,’ so thinking about game after game.
“We’re just taking the next game and we’ve got a game at Wolves to think about.”
Alphonse Areola (groin) remains sidelined, which means Lukasz Fabianski will again deputise in goal and centre-back Nayef Aguerd (shoulder) will need a late fitness test.
West Ham will be boosted by the return of midfielder Edson Alvarez, who has established himself as a key figure since the summer departure of Declan Rice.
Alvarez may have impressed since he joined from Ajax, but has recently served a two-match ban for receiving 10 yellow cards in the Premier League this season.
Moyes added: “We’ve missed Edson’s presence and he’s had a big influence on things since he signed last summer.
“We’re looking forward to having him back.
“I haven’t spoken to him about his discipline. He’s experienced enough to deal with that.
“He’s still getting used to the Premier League and he’s a really important player for us.”
On Aguerd, Moyes said: “We think Nayef’s getting better and he’s had an injection in his shoulder.
“We’re hoping he might be able to return.”
