David Moyes at ease with picking Kurt Zouma but says ‘the situation is terrible’

Kurt Zouma will continue to play for West Ham despite the public outcry surrounding his cat abuse, with manager David Moyes insisting: “I can still look myself in the mirror.”

There have been calls for Moyes to drop the French defender over the video which emerged of him kicking and slapping his cat.

Moyes caused more controversy by picking Zouma to face Watford on Tuesday, barely 24 hours after the footage was released and amid a wave of condemnation.

National League club Dagenham have suspended Zouma’s brother Yoan, who is understood to have filmed the video, while the RSPCA, which has taken the player’s two cats into its care, investigates the incident.

But Moyes confirmed on Friday that £30million centre-half Zouma, remains available for selection for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Leicester as West Ham continue to chase a top-four finish and a lucrative place in the Champions League.

“Yes he’s available to play against Leicester. There are different views and opinions on should he be available? We as a club took that decision and I stand by that,” said Moyes.

“I understand the criticism. I understand how severe the video was. What he did was terrible so I understand the criticism of me personally.

“The thing is I know where my own moral compass is. I know if it’s to do with animals then people are critical. But nobody enjoys animals more than me.

“So from that point of view I can look in the mirror at myself. But I totally understand why people would be disappointed by the club’s decision to play him. But that’s a decision I made and I stand by that.”

Zouma has been fined the maximum two weeks’ wages, which will go to animal welfare groups.

Moyes added: “I don’t think the club could take more action or any quicker.