West Ham United leave Jarrod Bowen at home ahead of Backa Topola clash amid injury concern

West Ham have left Jarrod Bowen at home as the squad travels to Serbia to face Backa Topola in the Europa League, as they will not risk his injury for the clash according to The Standard.

The newspaper shared via their website on 29 November that Bowen is set to remain in London to continue his recovery from an injury picked up while away with England on international duty.

It was also reported that there is optimism that by sparing Bowen for the midweek trip, he will be fit for the Crystal Palace clash on 3 December.

Bowen’s recovery will be of paramount importance to the Hammers. He is their top scorer this season and their most consistent performer. There is a noticeable dip in quality when he doesn’t play, and they will need him back as soon as possible.

Despite the desperation to bring him back into the first-team fold, the Hammers’ plan to leave him to rest for an extra couple of days could prove vital to his long-term fitness and recovery, with this the ideal game to rest him.

Against Burnley, it took West Ham 86 minutes to break down the defence on a day where it looked like it might not happen, and Bowen’s absence was a large part of their struggles and they didn’t have his usual outlet and movement to pick out.

On paper, they should not have the same problems against the Serbian outfit and should be able to afford a bit of rotation in preparation for a Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at the London Stadium.