Ukraine’s Andriy Yarmolenko could return for West Ham after compassionate leave

Andriy Yarmolenko could return to the West Ham squad to face Aston Villa on Sunday for the first time since the Russian invasion of his homeland Ukraine.

The club initially granted Yarmolenko compassionate leave after the invasion began on February 24, but the 32-year-old returned to training at the start of this month.

Hammers boss David Moyes revealed he had almost been part of the club’s plans for the Europa League trip to Sevilla earlier this week.

“Yarmolenko was fit and available to travel to Spain, we had him in the squad to travel to Spain, but unfortunately he came down with an illness at the last minute,” Moyes said.

“We had included him in the squad, he felt he was ready to get back involved again, but it was an illness which meant that we weren’t able to take him.

“I’m hoping that he can be back around the team on the weekend, but I couldn’t be sure quite exactly at the moment.”

Moyes said he anticipated a positive reception for Yarmolenko at the London Stadium if he was involved.

We’re all huge supporters of the players and we’re huge supporters of Ukraine. We want the war to end, we want Ukrainians to be happy and be free.- David Moyes

“Undoubtedly and rightly so. You’ve seen the response from Premier League clubs who have Ukrainian players,” the Scot said.

“We’re all huge supporters of the players and we’re huge supporters of Ukraine. We want the war to end, we want Ukrainians to be happy and be free.

“We’re the same for Yarmolenko, we’re always thinking about him and his family because all the Ukrainian (players) have got family members in the country, whether that be brothers, sisters, mums, dads, cousins or nieces, whatever it may be, I think they have all got members of their family in the country.”

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