Burnley vs West Ham: Slaven Bilic may bench Javier Hernandez

AFP/Getty Images
Ken Dyer12 October 2017

West Ham striker Javier Hernandez could start Saturday’s match at Burnley on the substitutes’ bench as Slaven Bilic considers his options.

Bilic has yet to be able to field his strongest line-up this term but is likely to have an almost fully-fit squad with only injured defender James Collins still unavailable.

Players such as Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini, who have only just returned from injury, have been working hard on their fitness during the international break and it looks certain both will start against Burnley.

With Marko Arnautovic also back in contention after illness forced him to miss the 1‑0 win over Swansea - and Diafra Sakho also knocking at the door after coming on to score the winning goal in that match - Bilic has the sort of selection dilemma which has been rare for the West Ham manager in recent months.

In Pictures | West Ham vs Swansea | 30/09/2017

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Hernandez was substituted in the second half of the match against Swansea.

He then linked up with Mexico for their World Cup qualifiers, scoring in the 3-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago.

Getty Images

He was subsequently left out of the squad for the 3-2 defeat by Honduras and was not due to return to training until today.

In view of the striker’s recent heavy travelling schedule, Bilic may decide to leave him on the bench at Burnley, along with Sakho.

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