Kurt Zouma has been selected in West Ham United's starting lineup to face Leicester City this afternoon, starting for the second time since the disturbing footage emerged of him kicking and slapping his pet cat.
Despite an ongoing RSPCA investigation, David Moyes revealed earlier this week that the 27-year-old would be available to play, and the Scotsman has decided to name an unchanged back four for their trip to the King Power Stadium.
Centre-backs Zouma and Craig Dawson will shield goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, with Vladimir Coufal and Aaron Cresswell retaining their places as the full-backs.
Here's how we line up today against @LCFC...@betway | #LEIWHU pic.twitter.com/N9LSHRrmjz
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 13, 2022
Ever-present midfield duo Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek are selected once again ahead of club captain Mark Noble and Alex Kral, who will begin on the substitutes' bench.
In-form forward Jarrod Bowen will continue on the right wing, with Pablo Fornals selected ahead of Said Benrahma to operate on the opposite flank.
Manuel Lanzini returns to the first XI and will play in the number 10 role behind central striker Michail Antonio, who has been involved in five goals in his last five Premier League appearances against Leicester, including a brace in West Ham's 4-1 victory in the reverse fixture this term.
