West Ham lineup vs. Nottingham Forest: Predicted XI for Premier League as Mateus Fernandes starts

West Ham United's latest arrival Mateus Fernandes could come straight into the starting lineup when the Hammers head to the City Ground for Sunday's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.

The 21-year-old was unveiled as the Irons' latest recruit on Friday morning, becoming the club's third-most expensive signing of all time as he joined in a £42m deal from Southampton.

As Fernandes's signing went through before 12pm on Friday, he is eligible to appear in the claret kit for the first time this weekend, and Graham Potter may very well introduce him into his first XI at the expense of Niclas Fullkrug.

The German striker lasted just 45 minutes of last Friday's 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea, before Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta paired up in the final third for a 3-2 EFL Cup second-round loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek.

The former made headlines for his verbal altercation with a fan at full time, but he will no doubt sport the captain's armband here, potentially in an attacking trident with Fernandes and Paqueta; the latter's stunner vs. Chelsea ended a run of 14 Premier League games without scoring.

Further back, a lack of viable alternatives means that Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse will pair up in midfield again, but Mads Hermansen and Max Kilman should be straight swaps for Alphonse Areola and Dinos Mavropanos.

None of George Earthy (ankle), Crysencio Summerville (thigh) or Luis Guilherme (shoulder) will be available for the trip to the City Ground.

West Ham United possible starting lineup:

Hermansen; Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd; Wan-Bissaka, Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Diouf; Paqueta, Fernandes; Bowen

> Click here to see how Forest could line up for this game