Slaven Bilic defends Europa League team selection decision

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has defended his decision to name just two first-choice players in his squad for this evening's Europa League tie against Astra Giurgiu.

Carl Jenkinson and Kevin Nolan are the only recognised senior faces in the Hammers' squad for the trip to Bucharest.

Despite his side's third-qualifying round hopes hanging by a thread following last week's 2-2 draw, Bilic insists that it was always "part of [their] plan" to select a weakened side for the second leg.

"We were always going to play the first leg with the best team," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Star. "But it was always part of our plan, because of the start of the Premier League, which is the priority, that we would come here with a strong team where some players have stayed at home.

"But this is a good game for us. It's a European game and we are very respectful of this competition. Can we still win? Of course, why are we here otherwise?"

West Ham face Arsenal on Sunday afternoon in their opening Premier League fixture of the season.