West Ham United boss David Moyes believes Angelo Ogbonna has avoided a serious injury and can face AEK Larnaca. The Irons are in Europa Conference League action on Thursday.
The Hammers face the Cypriot squad in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie in a 17:45 kick-off. Ogbonna played a key role in West Ham reaching the knockout stages after starting in five of their six Group B ties. Moyes also handed the Italian the captaincy in three matches.
Ogbonna’s displays helped West Ham keep clean sheets against RSC Anderlecht, Silkeborg IF and FCSB, as well. But the 34-year-old was a doubt for Thursday’s last 16 match after he sustained an injury during the Irons’ 4-0 Premier League defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Angelo Ogbonna suffered the injury as West Ham United lost 4-0 at Brighton
Moyes has afforded Ogbonna a pivotal place in West Ham’s defence since the end of 2022. He had only featured in two Premier League games for 25 minutes before starting against Brentford on December 30. Yet Ogbonna has since started in eight of their last nine games.
But Moyes had to replace Ogbonna 69 minutes into the Hammers’ loss on the south coast. Kurt Zouma came on for their £10m former Juventus defender following the Seagulls’ third goal. Yet he would not stop Danny Welbeck from further stretching Brighton’s advantage.
David Moyes addresses Angelo Ogbonna’s availability against AEK Larnaca
Moyes has now stated that West Ham replaced Ogbonna against Brighton as a precaution and that his injury should not stop the 13-cap former Italy star from facing AEK Larnaca. He also confirmed the defender will be a part of the Hammers’ squad for the AEK Arena affair.
“Ogbonna has picked up a bit of a medial ligament injury in the game, which we took him off with more as a precaution,” Moyes said, via quotes by football.london. “I think Angelo will be okay and he will be with us.”
While Moyes believes Ogbonna’s injury should not stop him from facing AEK Larnaca, the West Ham boss could rest him. The Hammers coach will be loath to recall the Italian only to then aggravate the issue. West Ham will also be desperate to beat Aston Villa this Sunday.