Facundo Buonanotte will be hoping he has forced himself into the Leicester City starting line-up at West Ham as Ruud van Nistelrooy looks for a boost to the club's survival hopes.
Buonanotte had one of his best displays in recent weeks in a lively substitute outing against Brentford, the Argentinian dribbling with intent and providing a small positive amid a dismal team performance.
With City having only scored in three of their last 11 Premier League matches, and with the gap to Wolves in 17th bigger than ever, van Nistelrooy may have to roll the dice and try a more attacking option.
Buonanotte has only started three of van Nistelrooy’s 13 league games in charge, despite being City’s best outfield performer under Steve Cooper.
To get his chance at the London Stadium, he will have to oust one of Jordan Ayew or Bobby De Cordova-Reid, who have been City’s starting wingers for the past five matches in all competitions.
“It’s always the right time to try something different that you think can help us get the results we want,” van Nistelrooy said at his press conference on Tuesday.
“It’s the approach for every game. If we think as staff that there is a decision to be made, or to make a change… we’ve made quite a bit of changes. The centre-backs, the wingers, the sixes.
“It’s not that you want to change all the time but if we feel it’s necessary to do so to get the best results, of course.”
James Justin’s quick recovery from injury could see the right-back return to the starting line-up in place of Woyo Coulibaly.
The £3m January signing, making his full debut against the Bees, looked eager to impress and was a threat going forward, but was a little reckless in his defensive work, picking up a yellow card and risking a red, prompting van Nistelrooy to withdraw him at half-time.
Further changes will be considered. A panicked defensive showing from centre-back pairing Wout Faes and Caleb Okoli may see more changes made at the heart of the defence, albeit van Nistelrooy is running out of combinations to try.
Stephy Mavididi may also be in contention, but it would be a surprise if he came in alongside Buonanotte. For now, perhaps only one of the duo will get the nod.
Predicted City line-up (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen; Ndidi, Soumare; Buonanotte, El Khannouss, Ayew; Vardy.
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