In Friday's press conference Tonda Eckert admitted that Cyle Larin & Flynn Downes are both doubts for the starting line up, but he also suggested that they could play some part in the game.

Tonda Eckert likes to keep the opposition guessing, even when it seems that something is obvious and that seems to be the case when speaking to the media ahead of the trip to West ham.

Flynn Downes has not played or for that matter seemed to have trained since limping off 20 minutes into the win at Norwich City and Cyle Larin had to withdraw from the game a week ago against Bolton, but both could play a part at the London Stadium.

When asked about the chances of Downes making a return to one of his former clubs he said:

" Getting better day after day. We'll assess today and he's doing everything to be involved tomorrow."

It was a similar reply when he question of Cyle Larin's fitness was the question:

"It's that part of the hamstring towards the tendon, but it's the same for him that he's trying everything to make it tomorrow."

He was also coy about who would replace both players should they not be fit, On Caspar Jander starting he had this to say:

"Yeah, last week has been, I think, a little bit more than he was supposed to play. But then you see the way he performs and I mean, it looks like he's ready.

"And then we took him on the bench against Bolton and that was yeah, more for an emergency, so the clear plan is that he gets a break on Saturday.

"He's had a very good week, so he'll be involved tomorrow."

So overall Tonda said a fair bit, but didn't say anything at all, personally I don't have a problem with that, why would he want to reveal his plans to the opposition when he doesn't have to.

The chances are though that neither will be even on the bench and that will cause problems, in midfield not so much as I expect Caspar Jander to start, given that he has had a full 10 days to recover from his appearance at Norwich, having not come off the bench against Bolton a week ago.

Up front it is not so clear, a like for like replacement for Larin would be Divin Mubama, but he too sat out the draw with Bolton, even though Larin had departed injured just before the break.

I think West Ham will assume that neither Larin or Downes will play, but they are none the wiser of who will replace them.

imago via reuters