West Ham’s Arthur Masuaku and Robert Snodgrass will not be seen in action during the upcoming November internationals after they were left out of their respective national squads.
Left back Masuaku, who made his debut for DR Congo last month against Zimbabwe, has not been named in the Leopards’ 24 member squad to play neighbours Congo. Apart from Masuaku, other high profile omissions from the DRC squad that played Zimbabwe include Benik Afobe and Jacques Maghoma. There is however a recall for Celtic’s Youssuf Mulumbu, who last featured for his country at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
Masuaku missed West Ham’s 4-2 win over Burnley with a minor injury, but is expected to be fit for the Hammers’ upcoming trip to the Kirklees Stadium to take on Huddersfield. At the moment, he appears to be Pellegrini’s first choice at LB ahead of Aaron Cresswell. There are some rumours in the DRC press that Masuaku’s exclusion may be due to “problems” rather than injury.
Winger Snodgrass, who has played in the centre of the park for West Ham in recent weeks owing to the club’s growing injury and suspension list, was also not named in Alex McLeish’s Scotland squad. The word on the street is that he’s had a falling out with McLeish, although the Scottish manager put it down to the former requiring to “manage an ankle knock”. Newcastle winger Matt Ritchie has also asked to be not considered “for the foreseeable future”, while there is no place for Man Utd’s Scott McTominay and Fulham’s Tom Cairney.
Marko Arnautovic and Lukas Fabianski have been named in the Austrian and Polish squads respectively. Arnautovic’s playing time was managed by Austria last month in consultation with club officials owing to the latter’s ongoing knee issue.
Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has said he believes Declan Rice will not make a decision on his international future “till the end of the year” and remains hopeful of the youngster committing his future to the Republic.
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