‘Unlikely to travel’: 23-year-old West Ham United star now expected not to play against FCSB tomorrow – journalist

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West Ham United are preparing for their final Europa Conference League group game tomorrow.

The Hammers have already topped the group and have a 100% record in Europe this season.

Sky Sports News, via Football Daily, have now provided an update on the squad expected to travel tomorrow.

Given there’s nothing riding on the match, it could be a good opportunity for David Moyes to rest his key players.

He may also give an opportunity to a number of academy players on the edge of the first team.

One player who now appears unlikely to travel to Bucharest is Declan Rice.

Rice has appeared in each of West Ham’s group stages matches this season.

However, he’s only started twice, and Moyes has preferred to bring him on to see out their victories.

The 23-year-old now appears unlikely to travel to FCSB after being spotted training on his own.

Rice unlikely to travel to Bucharest – journalist

Sky Sports News were at West Ham’s training ground ahead of their final European match of the year.

They shared this update on the England international:  “The group are training and preparing, there’s a mixture of academy products and also some experienced faces.

“But one player that will be unlikely to travel is Declan Rice.

“Now, Declan Rice is training on his own, working on his fitness at the moment behind me away from the main group that are expected to travel over to Bucharest.”

Rice’s absence could give several young players an opportunity to step up.

Flynn Downes has finally broken into the team after signing from Swansea this season, but has been playing in an unfamiliar number ten role.

He could drop back into the preferred deeper position tomorrow.

Conor Coventry could also been given another opportunity after Moyes kept him at the club this summer.

He’s hardly played this season, but the majority of his opportunities have come in the Conference League.

West Ham fans will be hoping Rice being unlikely to travel to Romania guarantees he’ll be fit for the weekend.

The Hammers face Crystal Palace on Sunday knowing a win could take them into the top half.