Is this the ‘strong’ starting XI West Ham will play tonight?

The fans were told Slaven Bilic will be naming a “strong starting XI” for tonight’s Europa League clash FC Astra.

And this afternoon young Jack Sullivan has confirmed that there is indeed a very strong side preparing themselves for the game at the Boleyn Ground.

So, what exactly is a ‘strong starting XI’ at the moment?

Diafra Sakho and James Tomkins are suspended, which is a pain, but Angelo Ogbonna and Dimitri Payet are both expected to make their debuts tonight, while Enner Valencia should also make his first competitive appearance of the season.

It will be a surprise to see Carl Jenkinson handed a start so soon after returning to training and you’d think Kevin Nolan would be dropped for the someone like young Diego Poyet.

Other than that, it’s pretty much straight forward. Some would perhaps suggest swapping Noble and Kouyate, which would be fair, but it’s still as close as we’re going to get to a strongest XI this evening.

What do you think? Would you like to see us use the below line up tonight? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below…

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