David Moyes to make late call on Winston Reid as West Ham star prepares for World Cup qualifier

Day of destiny | Reid can secure World Cup qualification with New Zealand on Thursday morning
Getty Images
Ken Dyer15 November 2017

David Moyes will make a late decision on Winston Reid as he contemplates his team for Sunday’s first match as West Ham manager.

The centre-half is in Lima with New Zealand as they prepare for their World Cup play-off tie against Peru.

The first match in Wellington ended 0-0 and the return kicks off in the early hours of tomorrow morning, 2.15am UK time.

Reid is not due back in London until Friday morning and Moyes will assess his the player’s fitness before naming his team to face Watford at Vicarage Road.

Already without Jose Fonte, Moyes will be keen for Reid to play but will want to ensure he has recovered from the effects of the long journey.

James Collins returned to training after an ankle injury and could be considered should Reid be ruled out. The other option is teenager Declan Rice, who has made five Premier League appearances this season but started only two of those games.

Moyes will definitely be without striker Javier Hernandez, who is out for up to three weeks with a hamstring strain while Michail Antonio is also a doubt due to similar injury.

David Moyes on his appointment as West Ham manager

West Ham’s other casualties include full-back Sam Byram, who has a long term thigh injury.

Meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Reid provided the perfect response when asked by a Peruvian reporter if he was worried that his side had a poor record away from home.

Reid said: “You haven’t been to a World Cup in 30 years either have you? I mean records are there to be broken for you and for us, so we’ll see what happens.”