Slaven Bilic begs his players to work hard as under-fire West Ham boss sweats on Javier Hernandez fitness ahead of crunch clash with Swansea

  • West Ham United host Swansea City in the Premier League on Saturday
  • The Hammers are in the relegation zone with boss Slaven Bilic under pressure
  • Bilic could be without star striker Javier Hernandez, who faces a late fitness test
  • Ahead of the match Bilic has urged his players 'to live for that game on Saturday'

Slaven Bilic has begged his West Ham players to work hard and get the win he needs against Swansea, though they may have to do so without Javier Hernandez.

The Mexico striker is facing a fitness test on Saturday morning after picking up an ankle problem in training and Bilic is sweating on his inclusion.

Hernandez did not train on Thursday or Friday.

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has called on his players to give their all this weekend

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has called on his players to give their all this weekend

Ahead of Saturday's game with Swansea, Bilic's position as Hammers boss is under pressure

Ahead of Saturday's game with Swansea, Bilic's position as Hammers boss is under pressure

Question marks hang over Bilic's future with West Ham in the drop zone after winning just one of their six Premier League games so far.


The Croat's West Ham deal expires at the end of this season and with Swansea their last opponents before the two-week international break, Bilic does not want to be worrying about his job.

'Nobody likes to lose at any time but especially when you have two weeks to think about that,' he said.

'We want to win this game because otherwise it is not very pleasant to spend those couple of weeks.'

Last weekend's 3-2 defeat at the hands of rivals Spurs left West Ham in the relegation zone

Last weekend's 3-2 defeat at the hands of rivals Spurs left West Ham in the relegation zone

But Bilic has moved to motivate his troops by asking them 'to live for that game on Saturday'

But Bilic has moved to motivate his troops by asking them 'to live for that game on Saturday'

Carlo Ancelotti, sacked by Bayern Munich on Thursday, was immediately linked with West Ham. Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez is also believed to be a top target.

A loss to Swansea at the London Stadium would leave Bilic on the brink, and Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio are to be thrown back into the squad following injuries.

'There's been a good spirit since the last international break,' said Bilic.

'Working hard doesn't mean killing the players with two-hour sessions, but to be focused on and off the pitch and to live for that game on Saturday.

'That's what I'm asking of my players now.'

West Ham may be without star striker Javier Hernandez against fellow scrappers Swansea

West Ham may be without star striker Javier Hernandez against fellow scrappers Swansea

The Mexico forward faces a late fitness test after hurting his ankle during a training session

The Mexico forward faces a late fitness test after hurting his ankle during a training session