David Moyes is hopeful that Jarrod Bowen will recover from injury to play for West Ham United in Saturday's Premier League clash against Burnley at Turf Moor.
Bowen was called up to Gareth Southgate's England squad earlier this month ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
The 26-year-old watched on as an unused substitute for the 2-0 win over Malta at Wembley, but he was forced to withdraw from the squad ahead of Monday's 1-1 draw with North Macedonia after picking up a knee injury in training.
Bowen has emerged as a doubt for this weekend's trip to Burnley, but Moyes is optimistic that the Hammers attacker – who has scored in all six Premier League away games so far this season – can be available for selection.
Moyes has also revealed that Nayef Aguerd should be fit to feature after picking up a knock on international duty with Morocco, but Michail Antonio is ruled out for a couple of weeks with a knee problem sustained while representing Jamaica.
"We hope Jarrod will be available [for Burnley] but that will be a decision we make on Saturday," Moyes said at a press conference on Friday.
"Michail has got a small injury. It's not a serious injury. It's probably going to keep him out for a couple of weeks. I don't think it's a serious one though. I think about two or three weeks, give or take.
"It is a bit like a doctor's surgery at the moment. It's been difficult for a lot of the international boys because they've had late returns. But we think Nayef Aguerd will be okay too."
"Injuries are absolutely your worst fear as a manager, coming out of an international break," the Scotsman added. "We've had a great record when it comes to injuries at this club this season. We've had almost a full squad in every game and now we've got players injured from international duty, and that's a blow for us.
"If it's on our watch and it happens in training or in our games, then it's part and parcel. But when they're away with the international team then it's more galling when players come back injured.
"That being said, I want to have international players because that tells me I've got one of the best players from whatever country it is. I want my players to be playing for their countries. I'd like more, if possible, to be selected. The downside of that is that they may come back with injuries."
West Ham enter Saturday's contest against basement club Burnley having won three of their last four games in all competitions, but Moyes is wary of the challenges that his side could face against Vincent Kompany's men at Turf Moor.
"I think Burnley has always been a challenging opponent. I've managed a lot against them throughout the years and it has always been a tough place to go," said Moyes.
"They have a different style now and I think Vincent Kompany has done well to get them up in the Premier League and playing the way they are. It's another incredibly tough game for us.
"I'm sure Vincent has got some incredible people, who he has worked with, who are giving him really good advice. But I admired him as a player.
"I watched him when he played for Belgium and when he was a young player in Germany before coming to the Premier League. He's had a great career and a great start to his managerial career as well."
West Ham currently sit ninth in the Premier League table, three points behind Newcastle United in seventh spot and nine points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who the Hammers will face in a few weeks' time. body check tags ::
