A West Ham injury boost has been teased in the announcement of an international squad.

West Ham could have influential midfielder Lucas Paqueta back in the side for upcoming matches against Newcastle United and Everton in a fresh hint given as national squads are announced this week.

The Premier League will take a pause later this month to allow for World Cup qualifying action, giving clubs time to get injured players back to full fitness ahead of the run in. The Hammers have been without Paqueta in three of their last four league outings as he nurses injury niggles.

The Brazil international looked certain to be available after the upcoming break but, having already been included in Dorival Junior’s Brazil squad, it seems to suggest the player could be back in Hammers action even before that. West Ham boss Graham Potter provided an update on Paqueta ahead of the win over Leicester City but had been reluctant to put a timeframe on his recovery.

Lucas Paqueta edging close to West Ham return

Speaking about Paqueta, as well as Vladimir Coufal, Potter said: “Both are progressing. Both won’t make the squad on Thursday but are making progress.

“Vladi, [there is] certainly a chance for Newcastle [on Monday]. Lucas, we’ll just have to see how he responds. But certainly for Leicester, no.”

With Paqueta seemingly raring for international action, the hopes of a run out against Newcastle United next Monday or against Everton on Everton on March 15 are certainly increased. The Hammers have won their last two without the attacking midfielder, beating Arsenal 1-0 and Leicester City 2-0, but he has been instrumental under Potter.

Paqueta, who signed for the club for £55 million in 2022, has been deployed both through the middle and on the flank by the new West Ham manager since his arrival at the London Stadium, scoring against Fulham in the league and Aston Villa in the cup.

Paqueta’s injury came in training before the win over Arsenal. Over the weekend, the Brazilian posted an injury update on Instagram as he was shared two images of himself working with the ball on the grass at the club’s training round with the caption: “Back at it, Glory to God.”

Brazil national squad confirmed

The midfielder is joined by fellow Premier League stars Alisson, Ederson, Murillo, Andre, Andreas Pereira, Bruno Guimaraes, Joao Gomes, Joelinton, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Matheus Cunha, Joao Pedro and Savinho in the Brazil national squad.

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al Nassr), Ederson (Manchester City), Hugo Souza (Corinthians Lucas Perri (Lyon), Weverton (Palmeiras)

Defenders: Dodô (Fiorentina), Abner (Lyon), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Alex Telles (Botafogo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Arana (Atlético-MG), Vanderson (Monaco), Wesley (Flamengo), Alexsandro (Lille), Beraldo (PSG), Danilo (Flamengo), Fabrício Bruno (Cruzeiro), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Leo Ortiz (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Murillo (Nottingham Forest)

Midfielders: Alisson (São Paulo), André (Wolverhampton), Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Andrey Santos (Strasbourg), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Éderson (Atalanta), Gerson (Flamengo), João Gomes (Wolverhampton), Joelinton (Newcastle), Lucas São (Paulo), Paquetá (West Ham), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton), Neymar (Santos), Oscar (São Paulo)

Forwards: Antony (Real Betis), Bruno Henrique (Flamengo), Endrick (Real Madrid), Estêvão (Palmeiras), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Galeno (Al Ahli), Igor Jesus (Botafogo), Igor Paixão (Feyenoord), João Pedro (Brighton), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Samuel Lino (Atlético de Madrid), Savinho (Manchester City), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid), Yuri Alberto (Corinthians)

In other news, a former Arsenal, Fulham and West Ham is in contention for a newly vacant EFL job.