Manuel Pellegrini has admitted he will need to be smart about his team selection ahead of West Ham’s meeting with Manchester City on Wednesday night.
The Hammers, coming off the back of a 3-1 home win over Fulham on Friday night, will play three games over the course of eight days, meaning the Chilean manager may have to make enforced changes
Pellegrini admitted the proximity of West Ham‘s midweek clash with title-chasing Man City with the weekend’s game against Newcastle United will take a toll on his players.
“We have two games in less than 72 hours so I think it would be intelligent to have a good starting XI in both games,” Pellegrini said in his pre-match press conference.
“I am not worried about [the effect of playing at home to Fulham last] Friday to Wednesday – but Wednesday to Saturday, yes.
Pellegrini was reticent to say whether or not he would make changes for the City game or not, admitting the team selection would be made very close to matchday.
“We will see. I have not decided yet. We will see who recovers the best. I will also talk with the medical staff. We will decide the starting XI [on Tuesday].”