Kurt Zouma ‘unwell’ and replaced in West Ham team for Leicester clash

West Ham have confirmed that Kurt Zouma pulled out of their starting XI to face Leicester as he was feeling ‘unwell’, with Issa Diop coming into the side just moments before kick-off.

The Hammers faced widespread criticism as Zouma, 27, played the full 90 minutes of their 1-0 win over Watford on Tuesday night, less than 24 hours after a video surfaced which showed the defender physically abusing his cat.

Zouma has since been fined £250,000 by West Ham and his two pet cats have been seized by the RSPCA as a consequence of the sickening footage.

David Moyes asked for forgiveness from supporters for Zouma’s ‘terrible’ behaviour on Friday and the centre-back was named in West Ham’s team to take on Leicester in the Premier League this weekend.

But Zouma spoke at length with Moyes during West Ham’s warm-up session at the King Power Stadium and subsequently withdrew from the visitors’ squad altogether due to ‘illness and vision problems’.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Moyes said the RSPCA would provide a series of animal welfare classes for Zouma to attend.

However, the RSPCA refuted Moyes’ claims and insisted West Ham had made no ‘formal plans’ to educate the France international.

‘There have been no plans made for animal welfare courses to be undertaken,’ a spokesperson for the charity stated.

‘Our focus remains entirely on our experienced officers carrying out a full and thorough investigation.’

More to follow.