West Ham XI vs Lyon: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for Europa League game

David Moyes believes missing Kurt Zouma for Thursday night’s crunch Europa League quarter-final second-leg with Lyon is a “really big blow”.

The Frenchman picked up an ankle injury during Sunday’s loss at Brentford and there are fears he could miss the rest of the season.

Moyes has, however, talked up a certain Issa Diop, the most likely candidate to replace Zouma in the starting lineup.

Elsewhere, not too many changes are expected with Pablo Fornals, Jarrod Bowen and Manuel Lanzini likely to form the attacking line behind striker Michail Antonio.

Alphonse Areola, meanwhile, will most probably continue as West Ham’s starting goalkeeper in cup competition and his big-game experience could well be crucial.

Ben Johnson is the favourite to replace the suspended Aaron Cresswell following his red card in the first-leg.

With West Ham’s Premier League form tailing off of late, Thursday’s visit to Lyon is the season-defining game for Moyes. Win and he would have made history.

West Ham predicted XI: Areola; Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Johnson; Rice; Bowen, Soucek, Lanzini; Fornals; Antonio

Injured: Zouma (ankle), Ogbonna (knee)

Date and time: Thursday 14 April 2022, 8pm BST

Venue: Groupama Stadium

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