West Ham news: Kurt Zouma controversy could ‘disappear’ after update today – pundit
Noel Whelan has tipped David Moyes to bring Kurt Zouma back into the West Ham starting XI against Newcastle United.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Scottish manager would want to put the 27-year-old’s cat-kicking controversy “to bed”.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference today (18 February), Moyes confirmed Zouma has recovered from the illness that kept him out of the draw with Leicester City.
The Irons boss revealed it took the France international “a couple of days” to recover after “quite a bad illness”.
Whelan suggested a good performance from Zouma could take alleviate the pressure caused by his actions.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “David Moyes proved he’ll play him as he did the first game after the video came out the next day.
“He needs to play his best team to give them any chance to finish in the Champions League positions.
“I would expect to see him on the team sheet against Newcastle, if I’m honest. I think he’s proved already that if he’s fit, he plays, simple as that.
“That’s the best way David Moyes sees fit to put this problem to bed, by just playing him. All of a sudden, it could just go back to normal.
“If he goes out there, puts in a performance, clears one off the line or scores a goal, everyone’s going to jump up and cheer.
“There are not going to be any boos and that’s how fickle football is at times.
“You’re public enemy number one. But if you make a goal-line clearance or bang in the back of the net, this all disappears.”
Zouma has played 15 times for West Ham since his summer move.
Issa Diop and Craig Dawson started at centre-back against Leicester City.
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