West Ham United are preparing to host promotion rivals Southampton at the London Stadium on Saturday, and as Nuno Espírito Santo prepares for this highly anticipated fixture, the Portuguese head coach will be crossing his fingers for a crucial Saints absence.

West Ham are currently nine unbeaten in the Championship, and, having started the campaign poorly, have finally found their feet back in the second tier and look like a force to be reckoned with.

The Hammers are, unsurprisingly, among the favourites for the second tier title this year, and though their start has been far from perfect, they still look a formidable outfit.

Now, preparations have begun for one of their biggest tests of the season so far, as Southampton travel to the capital to face the Hammers, but the Saints could well be without one of their key players.

Cyle Larin was forced off in Southampton's goalless draw with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday and could miss the West Ham United clash

Southampton were unable to break Bolton Wanderers' resolve in their last outing, as the Trotters kept Tonda Eckert's side at bay to secure a point in a 0-0 draw at St Mary's, in which star striker Cyle Larin was taken off just before the break with an injury.

Larin, 31, has been in exceptional form ever since arriving on the English South Coast in January 2026, and his lack of presence up top will be dearly felt by the Saints.

He was replaced by Lewis Dobbin, who has registered a single goal contribution since his move to St Mary's in the summer from Aston Villa, with the former West Bromwich Albion, Norwich City, and Preston North End loanee preferred ahead of Divin Mubama.

Eckert has admitted that he is 'hopeful' that Larin's injury is not serious, and expects him to be available for the trip to the capital, as Nuno will be hoping for the opposite.

Nuno Espírito Santo will quietly love potential Southampton blow regarding Cyle Larin

As he prepares to host Southampton, Nuno will be busy working alongside his coaching staff and team of analysts at West Ham to work out what the best possible route is to secure an important victory, and will be well aware of the dangers of Larin.

Having joined the Saints in January on loan from Spanish side Mallorca to replace the Wolverhampton Wanderers-bound and, at the time, top scorer Adam Armstrong, Larin netted eight and grabbed one assist in 16 Championship games, with his move swiftly being made permanent in the summer.

The 95-capped Canadian international has already netted seven times in 11 league games this season, and whilst his goal record is excellent in its own right, his general presence and link-up play have proven to be crucial in getting Southampton up the pitch time and time again.

Nuno must work on how to keep him quiet and as ineffective as possible in the event that he is fit enough to play, but will quietly be hoping he misses this vital clash.

Cyle Larin has been excellent under Tonda Eckert since joining Southampton

Having assumed control at St Mary's in November 2025 following the dismissal of Will Still, head coach Eckert has completely transformed Southampton's fortunes and stamped his authority on the squad.

Each decision, from bringing back James Bree from his loan at Charlton Athletic to signing both Daniel Peretz and Larin in January, has been vindicated. As though the German's spell with the club has been mired by the spygate scandal, few could disagree that he hasn't had a positive impact.

Larin's addition may well prove to be the pick of the bunch; if the Canadian can help to fire the Saints back to the Premier League, his addition will go down in Championship folklore for years to come.

What have you made of Cyle Larin's time with Southampton so far? Will he be a big miss if he is unavailable for the clash against West Ham United on Saturday? Share your thoughts below!

Tonda Eckert will be holding his breath on Cyle Larin amid West Ham United battle

Whilst Nuno and West Ham will be hoping for Larin's absence, Eckert will be praying for his availability, as his current alternatives are bang out of form.

Either one of Dobbin or Mubama will likely start up top if the Canadian is unavailable, and with just one goal in 18 Championship appearances between them so far this season, neither are currently a reliable source for goals.

The German head coach will be more than aware of how crucial three points in this fixture could be by the end of the season, and if Larin is fit and available, Southampton's chances of leaving the capital with the victory increase tenfold.