West Ham United will face promotion rivals Southampton at the London Stadium on Saturday. Nuno Espírito Santo, the Portuguese head coach, hopes for a vital Saints absence.

West Ham are currently nine games unbeaten in the Championship, and after a slow start to the season, they appear to be a force to be reckoned with now.

The Hammers are, naturally, among the favourites for the second division title this season, and while their start has been far from ideal, they still appear to be a formidable team.

Preparations have begun for one of Southampton’s most important tests of the season, as they travel to the capital to face the Hammers, but one of their key players could be absent.

Cyle Larin was forced off in Southampton’s goalless draw with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday and may miss the West Ham United match.

Southampton were unable to break Bolton Wanderers’ resolve in their most recent excursion, as the Trotters held Tonda Eckert’s side at bay to earn a point in a 0-0 draw at St Mary’s, in which star scorer Cyle Larin was substituted just before halftime due to an injury.

Larin, 31, has been in outstanding form since moving to the English South Coast in January 2026, and the Saints will miss his presence up front.

He was replaced by Lewis Dobbin, who has scored one goal since joining St Mary’s from Aston Villa in the summer, with the former West Bromwich Albion, Norwich City, and Preston North End loanee picked over Divin Mubama.

Eckert has revealed that he is ‘hopeful’ that Larin’s injury is not significant and that he will be available for the journey to the capital, while Nuno is praying for the opposite.

Nuno Espírito Santo may be pleased with Southampton’s likely loss of Cyle Larin.

Nuno will be working with his coaching staff and West Ham’s team of analytics to determine the best way to gain a crucial victory as he prepares to visit Southampton, and he will be fully aware of the risks posed by Larin.

Larin joined the Saints on loan from Spanish side Mallorca in January to replace Wolverhampton Wanderers’ top scorer Adam Armstrong, and he scored eight goals and assisted once in 16 Championship games before his deal was made permanent in the summer.

Cyle Larin’s career statistics (all competitions) as of 20 October 2026

Team

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Yellow cards.

Besiktas: 109, 39, 9, 13, Orlando: 89, 44, 8, 2, Mallorca: 76, 14, 5, 12, Southampton: 35, 17, 1, 7, Zulte Waregem: 33, 9, 10, 4, Real Valladolid:

19 8 3 4 Feyenoord

15

Club Brugge: 1 2

13 1 0 1

The 95-cap Canadian international has already scored seven goals in 11 league games this season, and while his goal record is impressive in its own right, his overall presence and link-up play have proven critical in getting Southampton back on the pitch time and time again.

Nuno must strive on keeping him quiet and ineffective as possible if he is fit enough to play, but he will secretly hope he misses this crucial match.

Cyle Larin has excelled under Tonda Eckert since joining Southampton.

Since taking over at St Mary’s in November 2025 following Will Still’s sacking, head coach Eckert has totally altered Southampton’s fortunes and stamped his dominance on the squad.

Every decision, from recalling James Bree from his loan at Charlton Athletic to purchasing Daniel Peretz and Larin in January, has been vindicated. Although the German’s time with the club has been marred by the spygate incident, few would argue that he hasn’t had a good impact.

Larin’s signing could be the best of the group; if the Canadian can help the Saints return to the Premier League, his name will be remembered in Championship history for years to come.

Tonda Eckert will be holding his breath on Cyle Larin during the West Ham United clash.

While Nuno and West Ham will be hoping for Larin’s absence, Eckert will be praying for his availability, as his existing options are completely out of form.

If the Canadian is absent, either Dobbin or Mubama will likely start up front, and with only one goal in 18 Championship matches this season, neither is now a reliable provider of goals.

The German head coach will be well aware of how important three points in this game may be by the end of the season, and if Larin is fit and available, Southampton’s chances of leaving the capital victorious rise tenfold.