Cornet keen to Hammer down a starting spot with stars absent

West Ham's squad has taken a hit with Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta both suffering injuries while Mohammed Kudus is away with Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Head coach David Moyes will be looking for fringe players to step up and forgotten man Maxwel Cornet has the chance to kick-start his Hammers career.

Ahead of the Irons' FA Cup replay at Bristol City tonight, we take a look at how the former Burnley winger can seize his opportunity.

On the sidelines

Cornet's transfer to West Ham was seen as a coup when he joined for £17.5million in August 2022 but the 27-year-old has not had the desired impact so far.

This term, the Ivory Coast international has turned out just eight times and has yet to complete 90 minutes.

His only appearance in the Premier League came in the season opener against Bournemouth and it was a one-minute cameo in the dying moments.

The lack of faith shown by Moyes resulted in the winger being left out of Ivory Coast's AFCON squad, despite having previously earned 30 caps.

But with an apparent opportunity on the horizon, Cornet can use his frustrations to rebuild his reputation both in England and back home.

Making excuses

Moyes, 60, has explained the reasons why Cornet has been handed so few opportunities this term.

The Scot said: "He had a bad injury and was out for five months. 

"He's just been a little bit unfortunate and he probably could've got some minutes. 

"We like Maxi. He's not really been able to have an opportunity due to what we have in those positions."

Now or never

At his best, Cornet was one of the top flight's most exciting players to watch during his time with Burnley.

In 2021-22, he bagged nine goals and an assist while attempting 38 take-ons and creating 15 chances for a side that were relegated.

And with West Ham favouring a counter-attacking approach, Cornet would surely prove to be an asset with his pace and power.

Often playing on the turn, the Metz acadamy graduate is capable of beating his man and delivering a cross or firing a shot in himself.

His powerful strikes caught plenty of teams off guard when he was at the peak of his powers and he may be the man to produce in the final third with the club's primary goalscorers unavailable.

Keep believing

Cornet may not have the faith of his manager but the forward is still backing himself regardless of how many minutes he gets on the pitch.

He said: "The talent is still here!

"It's been a while that I didn't play but I still keep my confidence in training to be ready at the right moment, so I'll keep going and keep pushing.

"When the manager calls me to go on the pitch, I just need to be ready and make the difference for the lads and for the team and that's why I'm here and I work."