Bilic: Carroll, Snodgrass and Fonte should be fit for Bournemouth

Manager Slaven Bilic praised West Ham United’s Vice-Chairwoman Karren Brady in his latest weekly press conference Thursday morning.

Serving as this week’s media pre-match session ahead of the Saturday contest at Bournemouth, Bilic was asked if he had any friendship or close bond with the unofficial “First Lady of Football.”

“I meet her once a month and we discussed everything,” he said. “She is totally involved in everything, and the quality and effort and hours she puts in is great. She is one of the biggest reasons why this Club is moving up.”

Bilic mentioned the fitness of Andy Carroll and Robert Snodgrass after both suffered some ailment in the 2-1 loss to Chelsea on Monday. The Croatian added that Jose Fonte also picked up an injury concern, but that all of them should be ready for the match at Vitaly Stadium this weekend.

“Andy and Robert both had cuts in the Chelsea game,” he said. “Snodgrass had stitches, and Andy in his eyebrow, but they are all right. Andy is fit. Fonte also felt something, but we are very optimistic that he is going to be OK for the game on Saturday, so it all looks good.”

Eddie Howe’s side aren’t away from relegation danger like the Hammers are. But Bilic knows Bournemouth are more than capable of being a difficult test based on their reputable 1-1 draw at Manchester United.

“They’ve had a few defeats and a couple of draws but their last game would have given them a big boost in confidence and belief because to get a point against Man United at Old Trafford is always a great result, especially as they did it with ten men.”