£32m West Ham midfielder suspended for Newcastle game, January transfer target now set to start

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West Ham have been dealt a big blow ahead of their trip to St James’ Park with star midfielder suspended, they now may have to play a former Newcastle target.

This will be a key battle in the race for Europe as West Ham sit four points ahead of Newcastle in the Premier League, but a home win would take the Geordies within touching distance of seventh.

Star midfielder Edson Alvarez picked up his 10th booking of the season against Villa meaning he’ll be suspended, so Kalvin Phillips may have to start just a couple of months after Newcastle tried to sign him.

Phillips will have a lot to prove against Newcastle

Newcastle were so close to bringing Phillips to the North East after identifying him as their number one target in January, but Manchester City’s demands proved to be too much.

The Geordies didn’t have a lot to spend in the transfer window and not only were the treble-winners asking for a loan fee of around £6m, they also wanted to include an obligation to buy in the summer.

Although Eddie Howe was very keen to add the England international to the squad, Newcastle just couldn’t afford to commit a large portion of their summer budget on a player they may not need.

Now, as he looks to to play against Newcastle for the first time since the transfer saga, the 28-year-old will be hoping to show Howe’s side what they could have had if they stumped up the cash.

Newcastle handed boost in midfield battle

Phillips has had a very difficult start to life with West Ham with the midfielder coming under a lot of criticism from his own fans for not being up to standard.

Opposingly, Alavarez, who joined David Moyes’ side for around £32m in the summer, has been a brilliant addition to the squad and has earned the praise from the likes of Alan Shearer who has been really impressed with the Mexican.

For Newcastle, this will be music to their ears as they have really struggled to win midfield battles as of late and will be looking to exploit Phillips’ lack of sharpness next Saturday afternoon.

The energy and determination of Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock will be key to winning that battle and after a two week break from club football should arrive back ready to fight for a crucial three points.