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Fulham will be without Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon at London Stadium, but there remains some hope that Ryan could return to contention for Sunday’s meeting with Manchester United.
“We had a small problem with Sess last week,” Álvaro Arbeloa explained in his pre-West Ham press conference. “We were not sure if he was ready for Saturday’s game – we made some scans, and we didn't take any risk with him, so he won't be available for tomorrow’s game, also.
“It's a small problem in the groin, so it will be some days, but we don't know yet if for Man United he will be ready. If not, after the international break, for sure.
“We don't want to take any risks with him for sure, but not for tomorrow. So, Tom and Sess will be not in the squad tomorrow.”
Arbeloa made 10 changes to his side for the 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon in the previous round, and while he does see Tuesday’s meeting with the Hammers as an opportunity to give minutes to certain players, he will be only be doing so with progression in mind.
“I want to win games, and I want to win tomorrow’s game,” he said. “I think we will need fresh legs, and will be opportunities for some players that deserve the opportunity, and they can show me, and they can show their talent, and they can show what they can do on the pitch, because I believe that they can help us to win the game.
“For me, it’s the most important thing, it’s not just about rotation, it's about the best 11 starters that I can put into the pitch.”
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Lecomte; Tete, Andersen, Cuenca, Sessegnon; Charles, Reed; Bobb, Smith Rowe, Kevin; Muniz
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West Ham will be without right-back Joel Veltman, who is dealing with a muscle injury, though Kyle Walker-Peters should be on hand to start alongside Airidas Golambeckis and Max Kilman at the heart of Nuno's defence.
Elsewhere, midfielder Tomas Soucek is sidelined once again as he recovers from an ankle injury, so expect to see Lewis Orford and Mohamadou Kante operate in the centre of the park, just as they did against Southampton in the previous round.
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Herrick; Walker-Peters, Golambeckis, Kilman, Mayers; Bowen, Orford, Kante, Ajala; Mukasa; Piroe
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