Edson Alvarez will return from suspension, and he will likely go straight back in the team, joining Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta in the central roles. Paqueta has been far from his best this campaign, but the Spanish boss continues to pick him in his team.

Julen Lopetegui defiant on future ahead of 'make-or-break' Newcastle and Arsenal clashes - The Hammers are said to have begun exploring potential replacements for Lopetegui

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has shrugged off talk he has only two games to save his job. The Hammers, slumped in 14th place coming into the weekend, face a tricky trip to resurgent Newcastle on Monday before entertaining title-hopefuls Arsenal the following Saturday.

Manager Julen Lopetegui says he is "not listening" to speculation over his future at West Ham after a poor start to the season.

JULEN LOPETEGUI is not “listening or reading” about any sack speculation amid reports he has TWO matches to save his West Ham job. The Hammers are understood to have already sounded out Edin

Heavy defeats to Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest have cranked up the pressure on Lopetegui, who also saw his side crash out of the Carabao Cup 5-1 at the hands of Liverpool.

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui says he is not engaging with external noise but instead is completely focused on getting the squad to improve. The Hammers are 14th in the Premier League, with 12 points from the Spaniard's first 11 games.

Lopetegui confirmed there is a "little problem with two players" before the trip to Newcastle but when pressed, refused to give names. He added that Niclas Fullkrug remains out but says that the German "is improving" as he continues to recover from an Achilles tendon injury.

West Ham have made a poor start to the season and pressure is growing on head coach Julen Lopetegui, who faces the sack if the Hammers' rotten form continues after the international break