David Moyes Gives Official Reason For Kurt Zouma Pulling Out Of West Ham's Starting XI

David Moyes says Kurt Zouma pulled out of West Ham United's 2-2 draw with Leicester City with 'gastro problems'.

Zouma was named in the Hammers starting XI for Sunday's clash, with the defender still receiving backlash for an online video in which he physically abuses his cat.

The 27-year-old told West Ham's medical staff he couldn't play during the warm-up and was replaced by Issa Diop.

Manager Moyes spoke to Sky Sports post-match per Metro and explained: "He was ill before the game, but he wanted to play and we wanted him to play as well.

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"We were aware of it, he was up and sick during the night, so we hoped that he would be okay.

"He didn’t eat much and he stayed away from the players in the meetings and he stayed away from them as well at the pre-match meal.

"But once he got out he just didn’t think it was possible. We had already told Issa Diop to be ready as there was a chance he [Zouma] might not be able to play."

Moyes then confirmed to BBC Sport: "He has sickness, gastro problems.

"He wasn’t well last night and did not come down for the pre-match meal in case it was something else."

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Jarrod Bowen gave West Ham the lead inside 10 minutes, coolly slotting past Kasper Schmeichel to take his tally to eight Premier League goals this season.

West Ham knew victory over an underperforming Leicester side would see them move back into the top four.

Youri Tielemans equalised on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot after a bizarre handball from Aaron Cresswell.

The second half saw a revitalised Foxes take the lead through Ricardo Pereira's header.

Schmeichel looked relatively comfortable in the closing stages before West Ham won a corner late on.

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Brendan Rodgers' side have been weak from set pieces all campaign and this was no different, as Craig Dawson turned home an equaliser.

Earlier on Sunday, a group of West Ham fans were slammed for kicking an inflatable cat in 'support' of Zouma.

Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness condemned Zouma's actions during the game and said he had 'no sympathy' for the France international.