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Mark Noble suspension gives Conor Coventry first-team chance at West Ham

The sending off of Mark Noble at the King Power Stadium on Saturday evening was bad news for West Ham, whose squad is looking increasingly thin, but it could open the door to Conor Coventry.

The 18-year-old central midfielder has already made his first team debut under Manuel Pellegrini, playing 45 minutes against League Two side Mansfield Town in the Carabao Cup.

A tough-tackling option in the middle of the park, he would be an almost like for like replacement for the captain who will not be available for the cup tie against Tottenham.

ROMFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Conor Coventry of West Ham United in action with George McEachran of Chelsea during the Premier League 2 match between West Ham United and Chelsea at the Chigwell Construction Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Dagenham, England. (Photo by James Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)

Coventry could fill that gap and would likely relish the opportunity to do so in a cup fixture where the pressure is not quite as intense as it may be in a Premier League game, a competition where he is still yet to make his debut.

Highly rated by coaches in the youth set-up, Coventry took up a place on Pellegrini’s bench on Saturday because of how keen the Chilean is to introduce him to the side.

With Noble now banned following his dismissal, it could provide Pellegrini with the perfect opportunity to do just that.