West Ham United midfielder Edson Alvarez appeared to be moving closer to a potential return to first-team contention after an unexpected change in circumstances, but Nuno Espirito Santo’s latest selection decision has raised fresh doubts about the Mexican international’s future at the London Stadium.

After spending approximately two months outside the manager’s plans, Alvarez had finally returned to training with the senior squad during the international break. His involvement in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Wycombe Wanderers also appeared to suggest that the door had not been completely closed on his West Ham career.

However, the midfielder’s absence from the matchday squad for Friday’s 1-1 draw against QPR has cast serious doubt over whether he is genuinely close to making a competitive comeback.

For a player hoping to rebuild his reputation and regain regular football, the latest development represents another frustrating setback.

😱 A SURPRISE OPPORTUNITY APPEARED TO BE OPENING UP

Alvarez’s situation had recently attracted renewed attention after he returned to training following a prolonged period away from Nuno’s first-team plans.

There had even been encouraging indications from an agent involved in his previous loan spell at Fenerbahce. According to the report, the representative claimed that Nuno was particularly fond of the midfielder, creating optimism that the situation might be improving behind the scenes.

That optimism increased when Alvarez featured in West Ham’s private friendly against Wycombe Wanderers.

The 28-year-old played for approximately half an hour during the 2-0 victory, marking his first involvement in a match for more than 50 days. Although it was not a competitive fixture, his participation offered a possible indication that he was gradually working his way back towards selection.

For supporters following the situation, the signs appeared encouraging. After weeks of uncertainty, Alvarez seemed to have an opportunity to demonstrate his value and convince the manager that he deserved another chance.

Yet the subsequent Championship fixture against QPR produced a very different outcome.

🚨 NUNO’S QPR TEAM SELECTION SENDS A CLEAR MESSAGE

The circumstances surrounding the QPR match appeared to provide Alvarez with a realistic opportunity to return to West Ham’s competitive squad.

Mohamadou Kante was unavailable because of the suspension he received following his red card against Millwall. Meanwhile, Tomas Soucek had only recently returned after spending five months on the sidelines with an injury.

Nuno had also indicated before the match that his squad was largely free from significant injury concerns, with Keiber Lamadrid the notable exception.

With a place potentially available in midfield, Alvarez might reasonably have hoped that his return to training and his appearance against Wycombe would be rewarded.

Instead, he was left out of the matchday squad altogether.

Soucek went straight into the starting line-up, while Lewis Orford and Soungoutou Magassa were included among the substitutes. Alvarez, despite his recent return to action, was overlooked once again.

That decision has inevitably raised questions about his standing within the squad. While Nuno has not necessarily ruled out a future return, his latest selection suggests that Alvarez still has considerable ground to make up before he can be considered a serious option.

For the midfielder, simply returning to training has clearly not been enough to secure a place in the team.

💔 JUST 75 MINUTES OF COMPETITIVE ACTION THIS SEASON

Alvarez’s lack of involvement has become increasingly difficult to ignore.

According to the supplied report, the Mexican has accumulated only 75 minutes of competitive football for West Ham this season, with his sole appearance coming in the Carabao Cup in August.

Since then, he has remained on the outside looking in, unable to establish himself as a regular part of Nuno’s plans.

The QPR encounter was particularly significant because Kante’s suspension and Soucek’s recent return from injury appeared to create a possible opening. Nevertheless, the manager chose other midfield options instead.

That decision will inevitably raise further doubts about whether Alvarez can realistically revive his West Ham career under the current circumstances.

His recent involvement against Wycombe offered a glimmer of hope, but the failure to make the bench against QPR suggests that any progress may be more complicated than initially expected.

It remains possible that circumstances could change, especially with a long season still ahead. However, Alvarez will need to convince the coaching staff that he can offer something the other midfielders cannot currently provide.

🇲🇽 MEXICAN MEDIA RAISE THE POSSIBILITY OF A JANUARY DEPARTURE

Alvarez’s prolonged absence from competitive football has reportedly attracted attention in his home country, where concerns are growing about the impact the situation could have on his career.

AS Mexico reportedly believes the midfielder may have to consider finding another club when the transfer window reopens in January if his opportunities at West Ham do not improve.

The concern is understandable. At 28, Alvarez needs regular football to maintain his competitive level and rediscover the form he demonstrated during his time at Ajax.

Remaining on the sidelines for extended periods could make that objective increasingly difficult.

A move away from West Ham could therefore become an option if the situation remains unchanged over the coming months. However, there is no confirmation in the supplied report that a January transfer has been agreed or that the club has formally decided to sell him.

For now, the immediate question is whether Alvarez can persuade Nuno to give him a genuine opportunity before the next transfer window arrives.

👀 WAS THE APPARENT WEST HAM U-TURN SHORT-LIVED?

The midfielder’s return to training and appearance against Wycombe initially suggested that relations with the coaching staff might be improving.

Those developments created the impression that Alvarez could gradually work his way back into contention after a difficult period away from the first team.

However, the QPR selection has complicated that picture considerably.

The contrast between receiving minutes in a friendly and failing to secure even a place among the substitutes in a competitive match has left his situation open to interpretation.

It would be premature to conclude that Nuno has permanently ruled him out, but the latest decision provides little evidence that Alvarez is close to reclaiming a regular role.

There is still time for the situation to change. Football seasons can produce unexpected opportunities through injuries, suspensions, tactical adjustments and changes in form.

Nevertheless, Alvarez must make the most of any opportunity that comes his way if he wants to avoid spending the remainder of the campaign watching from the sidelines.

⚒️ LINCOLN CITY FIXTURE COULD PROVIDE ANOTHER CLUE

West Ham’s upcoming trip to Lincoln City could offer another indication of Alvarez’s position within the squad.

Supporters will be watching closely to see whether the midfielder returns to the matchday group or remains behind the players Nuno has recently preferred.

Another omission would inevitably intensify speculation about his future, particularly with the January transfer window approaching.

Conversely, a return to the squad could suggest that his recent exclusion was not necessarily the final word on his situation.

Ultimately, Alvarez needs more than encouraging training sessions and occasional minutes in friendly matches. He needs a genuine opportunity to demonstrate that he can contribute at a competitive level.

For Nuno, the challenge is to select the players he believes give West Ham the best chance of achieving their objectives. For Alvarez, the task is to convince his manager that he deserves to be part of those plans.

One thing is becoming increasingly clear: Alvarez’s West Ham future remains uncertain, and the coming weeks could prove crucial in determining whether he fights for his place or begins considering a fresh start elsewhere.