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Pre-season games aren’t perceived as counting for much, but they can be very important for players.

Many who have uncertain futures are under pressure to perform, so with the West Ham squad now in Switzerland for pre-season, there are some who will be looking forward to the game against Altach on 11th July.

Here are four of those who need a big performance…

Josh Cullen

Josh Cullen has had four loan spells since 2016, so at 23-years-old will be hoping to earn a first-team role with West Ham for the upcoming campaign.

There is plenty of competition in the West Ham midfield this season, so he will need to stand out in pre-season if he is to be given the chance to be a part of the Hammers’ 2019/20 squad.

Winston Reid

Winston Reid has been given one more chance to prove his fitness and quality to Manuel Pellegrini, according to Football Insider.

With the manager already unconvinced, it is imperative the New Zealander gets off to a good start this pre-season, so he will need to be on top of his game against Altach.

Reece Oxford

With his move to Augsburg falling through, as reported by the Telegraph, Reece Oxford now has the chance to prove himself to either West Ham or West Brom and Middlesbrough who are said to be interested in him.

Questions are beginning to circle around his career, so he needs to use this pre-season to prove his attitude and application; that starts in Switzerland and the Altach game is a big opportunity to do that.

Jordan Hugill

Marko Arnautovic has handed in a transfer request, according to Sky Sports and Javier Hernández has revealed on Naked Humans he could leave the Hammers.

This could mean Jordan Hugill and Xande Silva are West Ham’s biggest strikers for the Altach game, so the former Preston man can help his prospects – whether that is at West Ham or elsewhere – with a good performance and a goal or two.