Brigit Adongo
West Ham defender Vladimir Coufal withdrew from the Czech Republic squad this week over a possible injury, and this leaves West Ham in a bad place if the 29-year old cannot make the team this weekend.
West Ham will face Everton in their next EPL fixture, and David Moyes’ side are hoping that the Czech’s injury concerns aren’t serious enough to leave him out of the match, seeing as fellow defender Ryan Fredericks has also been out injured.
Though the former Slavia Prague man cited a need to rest as the reason he withdrew from national duties, Coufal hasn’t been perfectly fit in the last couple of weeks as he experienced some pains while playing, so the London club can only hope that he will be fit to play.
Two weeks isn’t a long time, but it is probably enough if all Coufal needed was rest. Since he has had that time to relax and feel fresh, there should be no problem when 9th-placed West Ham face 5th-placed Everton at Goodison Park next Sunday, unless his condition is worse than it appears.
Coufal has played a significant role in West Ham’s recent success in the EPL, and he’ll bring Moyes some assurance if he is featured. If his condition doesn’t improve, though, the responsibility will fall on Ryan Fredericks, who is coming back from injury. That could be dangerous as Frederick’s form is uncertain.
Although West Ham need full points to level up with their opponents, should Coufal not be perfectly fine, it’d be safer to slot in Frederick’s than let Coufal go beyond his limits and risk a more serious condition.
