OPINION
West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini could start midfielder Josh Cullen in their second round Carabao Cup clash against AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday after Jack Wilshere’s poor display against Arsenal at the weekend.
Wilshere may have sit on the sidelines with rookie Cullen – who is on £8,000-a-week [Spotrac] – starting in his place in central midfield after the 26-year-old’s disappointing performance against his former club on Saturday afternoon.
In one of seven expected changes, Felipe Anderson looks set to be dropped despite assisting Marko Arnautovic’s goal against Arsenal, so that Andriy Yarmolenko can provide a different dimension to West Ham’s attack after their dire showings so far this season.
Adrian could start in goal as Pellegrini rotates his goalkeeping options, but behind a changed back four in the shapes of Pablo Zabaleta, Issa Diop, Reece Oxford and Arthur Masauku, with Ryan Fredericks and Fabian Balbuena dropping out.
Carlos Sanchez is expected to hang on to his central midfield role in the place of Mark Noble, while new signing Lucas Perez could start up front on Tuesday in the place of Saturday’s goalscorer Marko Arnautovic, which would be his debut start for the Irons.
Meanwhile, Michail Antonio could make way for Andriy Yarmolenko, who is yet to feature in the starting line-up since joining the club.
