West Ham United’s first-team coach Mark Warburton says Tomas Soucek missed Tuesday’s friendly win over Cambridge United because he ‘slept funny’.
The Hammers picked up a 4-2 win over the League One outfit after goals from Jarrod Bowen, Saïd Benrahma and Pierre Ekwah.
There were some positive performances amongst the West Ham side as they ramp-up their preparations for the return of the Premier League.
But there were also some injury concerns after the game, with Aaron Creswell being forced off during the first-half. Maxwel Cornet and Soucek didn’t travel to the Abbey Stadium either.
And it turns out that Soucek missed the game due to suffering with a ‘stiff’ lower back after he ‘slept funny’.
Warburton on Soucek
Soucek has come under some criticism this season due to his patchy form for West Ham.
The £19 million man would have been hoping to get some minutes under his belt during the World Cup break but was ruled out of the win over Cambridge due an unusual reason.
The Athletic has relayed the update Warburton provided on the fitness of Soucek, as well as Creswell and Cornet.
“Cornet got a reaction, just a small reaction, nothing too serious at all. We’re just making sure we’re being careful with the players,” he said.
“Cressy felt something at the back of his hamstring and we’re just making sure everything is OK.
“Tomas was fine yesterday and trained really well but has just slept funny and had a stiff lower back, nothing more than that, so it’s just precautionary as they’ve only been back three or four days, so we have to look after them.”
Soucek has been underwhelming in West Ham’s midfield this season but will be hoping to turn a corner after the World Cup.
The Hammers currently sit 16th in the Premier League – just one point above the relegation zone.
Moyes will be hoping the mid-season break will benefit his players as they return to action on Boxing Day with a tough fixture against Arsenal.