West Ham United hit with major injury concern ahead of Newcastle United trip

West Ham United are sweating on the fitness of a key player ahead of their visit to Newcastle United on Saturday lunchtime.

The Hammers are already without former Newcastle target Edson Alvarez as the Mexico international serves a suspension for picking up ten yellow cards during the season - but David Moyes is now hoping for positive news on the fitness of another player that was tentatively linked with a move to Tyneside in recent seasons.

Former Ajax winger Mohammed Kudus picked up a shoulder injury in the 1-1 home draw with Aston Villa prior to the international break and that ruled him out of Ghana's 2-1 defeat against Nigeria last week.

However, Kudus is also expected to miss Tuesday's meeting with Uganda and is now believed to be a doubt for his side's trip to Tyneside. The news is a further headache for Moyes, who is also awaiting an update on a thigh injury suffered by former Burnley man Maxwell Cornet.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are hoping for better news on the injury as they await updates on the fitness of three players ahead of their return to Premier League action. Full-back duo Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento are hoping to return to contention after overcoming calf and ankle injuries respectively and Howe is expecting to have winger Harvey Barnes available after he suffered a thigh injury ahead of the defeat against Chelsea.

The game will also come too soon for England goalkeeper Nick Pope as he continues to work his way back from a shoulder injury. Speaking of Pope's progress, Howe said: "April is his target.

"I think that will be more towards the end of [the month] than the beginning, but he's making good, solid progress. He's out on the grass but not necessarily diving. That will be a big test for his shoulder, and it's the next stage."