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David Moyes struggles to see West Ham as the favourites for their Europa League tie with Lyon, but is determined to get the results to keep people talking about the club.

West Ham will be in European action again on Thursday when they take on Lyon in the first leg of their quarter-final. After knocking out Sevilla in the last round, this is the latest stage of their continental adventure.

Once again, they are going up against a high-calibre club with more European experience than them. But the fact their domestic form has been better – West Ham are sixth in the Premier League; Lyon are ninth in Ligue 1 – makes for an intriguing tie.

Some have labelled Moyes’ men as the favourites to progress to the semi-finals. Although he welcomes the focus on his side, he is not expecting the two legs to be anything other than a challenge.

Of being classed favourites, he told a press conference: “Overall we know that you have to earn it and show it. I find that quite difficult considering we’re relative newcomers and Lyon have had loads of experience.

“They’re a really big, big football club in France and we’ll have our work cut out to get through. It’ll be a really hard tie.”

That said, the Scotsman is relishing the challenge.

He added: “We’re really excited by getting to the quarter-final of a European competition. It’s a big deal for any club. We weren’t expected to be in it this season. Long may that continue.”

Good news for Moyes comes with the update that Jarrod Bowen has coped well with his return to action. After a recent absence, he marked his comeback with a goal against Everton.

Although being patient, Moyes has confirmed the winger is available again for the Lyon first leg.

The manager said: “Jarrod Bowen’s trained. He seems fine. He’s not picked up any other injuries.

“It’s really good we’ve got him back because he got us a goal on Sunday and played a huge part. Who knows if he’d have been in the England squad for the games just gone? Overall he’s been really good for us.

“I’m not worried about his fitness, but if you’ve been out for five or six weeks, sometimes it’s the one or two games after the first game… I’m hoping he’ll be okay in everything he does.

“He offers us width. He’s also been someone who can score goals and to have players in those areas; nowadays, you get people scoring goals from inside-left, inside-right.

“He’s improved as an all-round footballer and the job he does for the team. He’s taken time coming from the Championship to grow into a Premier League player, but his contribution this year – and last year – has been excellent.”

Moyes still focusing on Premier League

West Ham are still trying to secure a second consecutive European qualification via their Premier League position.

Moyes is enjoying the balancing act, but insists the bread and butter remains their domestic work. On Thursday, though, his focus will be on that day’s challenge.

He reiterated: “One game at a time.

“I think it’s great we’ve got excitement and raised the expectation level, and generally there’s more talk about West Ham than there’s been before. But ultimately if you want to be kept talking about and keep up with the top teams, you’ve got to win mainly your domestic football games.

“We have to keep our focus on them all. We can’t say we’re just focusing on the Europa League; we’re trying to focus on our league position as well.”

READ MORE – EXCLUSIVE: Fulham confident over Frenchman’s return with big West Ham implications

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