West Ham: Lucas Paqueta to start at Brighton after serving suspension, Nuno Espirito Santo reveals

In partnership with

Evening Standard

·5 Desember 2025

West Ham: Lucas Paqueta to start at Brighton after serving suspension, Nuno Espirito Santo reveals

Brazilian was booked twice for dissent against Liverpool

Nuno Espirito Santo has revealed that Lucas Paqueta will start for West Ham as they travel to Brighton on Sunday.

Video OneFootball

Paqueta missed the Hammers’ 1-1 draw with Manchester United as he served a one-game suspension following his sending off against Liverpool last weekend.

The Brazilian, who was shown two yellow cards in quick succession for dissent, took to social media to criticise the Football Association (FA) following his dismissal in an explosive outburst, and later apologised to his team-mates for his behaviour.

Nuno admitted this week that Paqueta, who was cleared of spot-fixing charges in July, had been struggling following the incident.

However, the West Ham boss said the 28-year-old was ready to return to action ahead of Sunday’s trip to the Amex Stadium.

“Yes. He is going to play,” Nuno said in his pre-match press conference.

The Portuguese coach went on to say he had no concerns that Paqueta, who has scored three goals in all competitions this season, was in the right headspace to play.

Lucas Paqueta was booked twice in quick succession against Liverpool

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

“I already spoke about that. It is in the past. I am positive it will not happen again because he personally admitted his mistake. We spoke about it in the dressing room. I am positive it is over, and it will not be repeated.”

Nuno also provided updates on Crysencio Summerville and Ollie Scarles, stating that he hoped to have the pair back in the coming weeks.

Summerville has been sidelined with a calf strain and has missed the last three games. Standard Sport understands he has a slim chance of facing Brighton on Sunday, though a return against Aston Villa is considered more likely.

Scarles, meanwhile, has been out since October after undergoing surgery on a fractured collarbone.

“Crysencio hopefully returns soon. We miss him. We know what he gives to the team. Let’s see. We need all the players. I hope he can be back,” Nuno continued.

“He (Scarles) has a medical appointment on 8 December. We hope he is going to be cleared for full contact. He is training individually and does part of the session with the group, but without contact. I hope he can join the team. We are going to need him because we lose our full-backs to AFCON.”