West Ham United midfielder Andriy Yarmolenko will ‘almost certainly’ be fit for the team’s clash with Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday, according to Claret & Hugh.
The respected Hammers insider has revealed that the 6ft 2in Ukrainian [Source: Transfermarkt] should have recovered from the knock he took against Manchester United by the time the team takes on Chris Hughton’s side.
A source told Claret & Hugh: “It looked worse than it was. Thankfully, everybody looks fine and should make it if selected. There were one or two bumps and bruises but there are no major issues and thankfully Yarmolenko will almost certainly be involved along with the others.”
The former Borussia Dortmund man appeared to be struggling in the second half on Saturday and was eventually replaced by Robert Snodgrass after staying down following a robust challenge.
OPINION
This is a massive boost for West Ham. Yarmolenko has been a key part of the team’s recent revival, scoring a brace in the 3-1 win over Everton last month, and it would have been a major disappointment for the Hammers to be without him on Friday. The Ukraine international thought he had bagged another goal against United on Saturday but his deflected effort was eventually judged to be a Victor Lindelof own goal. He has formed a formidable partnership with Marko Arnautovic and Felipe Anderson in the West Ham attack, and that front three now looks set to continue against the Seagulls on Friday. Brighton have struggled at the start of this season so Manuel Pellegrini will see the game at the AMEX Stadium as the perfect opportunity to extend the team’s excellent run of form. Yarmolenko will be a huge part of that, and this is a big fitness boost for the Chilean.
