Team News | Cresswell & Álvarez fitness updates | West Ham United F.C.

One player vying for a start against Manchester City is Edson Álvarez, who returned to action after a three-month rehabilitation from his own hamstring injury at Selhurst Park, then made his comeback to the starting XI in Wednesday’s win over Bournemouth.

Lopetegui praised the Mexican midfielder’s work-rate, but knows he still needs more time to return to full match fitness.

“Edson has been out for three months so it’s not easy for him. It was his first match in the line-up [on Wednesday] and he showed big energy but it’s true that he’s going to need time to adapt and recover his best fitness for sure, because he’s an important player for us, and he’s going to do that step by step.”

With the transfer window closing on Friday evening, there could yet be incomings and departures from Lopetegui’s squad, but the Spaniard says every player remains part of the group for now and, barring injury, will be considered for selection against Pep Guardiola’s City.

“I am not going to talk about names,” he confirmed. “All of them, they are in our squad and all of them are ready to play against City. I have to take decisions and let’s see what’s going to happen, but I am not going to say here what is going to happen because first of all I am not going to tell you, and secondly I don’t know!”

The starting XI and substitutes for Saturday’s game will be confirmed at 4.15pm on matchday.