West Ham striker Enner Valencia may face Crystal Palace
Friday 16 October 2015 14:12, UK
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is weighing up whether to unleash Enner Valencia at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Valencia has played just 20 minutes in a practice match since returning to training after suffering a knee injury in a Europa League qualifying tie in July.
Bilic claimed the Ecuadorian forward is not in contention for the derby clash as he is not fully match fit, but the 25-year-old's performances on the training pitch have put him in consideration for the trip to Selhurst Park.
"Valencia has been out since late July, it was a long break but he is back and it's a great thing for us," said Bilic.
"He's one of our biggest weapons on the pitch. He's looking sharp and very good. Now it is just a matter of fitness and slowly getting him in shape to be fit.
"He's been with us for one week now, but not for every day. He played 20 minutes against Reading in the practice match and looked really well. But he still needs a couple of weeks.
"He's not in contention - but then when I see him on the training ground I think 'maybe Saturday'. He's one of those who makes you think."
The Hammers make the short trip to south London in sixth spot, but Bilic admits the international break may have upset the momentum created by their encouraging start to the season.
Palace are a point and two places ahead in fourth, and Bilic knows he will have to keep French playmaker Yohan Cabaye quiet if his side are to pick up a fourth win on the road this term.
"Palace are a good team, they are good in everything - defending, contacts, counter attacks," he added.
"They also have Cabaye who can do special things on the pitch. They are doing really, really good. It's a London derby, it's a great game and it will be an extremely difficult test.
"You can't stop players losing momentum. You can try to press a pause button but then to restart it when they come back... even on the best DVDs when you press pause, you can't make a meal.
"Maybe you can make a sandwich, but then after one minute it automatically starts again and you have to rush back. We have to restart it again and I hope we can do it."
