Spain give Manuel Pellegrini the answer to potential West Ham problem and it is right under his nose

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West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini could be a Sebastien Haller injury away from a striker dilemma.

West Ham allowed all four of their senior strikers to leave the club during the summer.

The latest to depart was Javier Hernandez, who sealed a £7million move to Sevilla on European transfer deadline day on Monday.

In light of Michail Antonio’s injury – which is expected to keep him out for up to five months – that has left Pellegrini with just Haller and the unproven Albian Ajeti as striker options.

Haller injury away from striker dilemma

If record buy Haller was to be out for anything length of time, West Ham would undoubtedly struggle to replace him.

But the answer could be right under Pellegrini’s nose in the shape of Pablo Fornals.

The exciting midfielder was signed for £24million by West Ham in the summer from Pellegrini’s old club Villareal.

Fornals can operate in any of the positions across midfield.

But crucially he can also play up front as he proved when helping Spain Under 21s win the European Championships in the summer.

Spain give Pellegrini the answer

Fornals was one of the stars of the tournament.

And Spain Under 21 boss Luis de la Fuente Castillo used Fornals as both the second striker and the main forward as his side strode to glory.

The 23-year-old is still adapting to the hustle and bustle of the Premier League. Pellegrini is doing the right thing by drip-feeding his new signing into the team.

Many have suggested Andriy Yarmolenko could be used as a back-up striker.

But Fornals would be the better option as he is very much two-footed. And that would cause defenders nightmares as he could go either way past them.

Fornals the forward

In his usual midfield berth Fornals would normally have to beat several players or break through the lines to open up space and make assists.

As a striker the Spaniard would only have to beat one player and he would be through on goal.

Pellegrini will be well aware of how Spain’s Under 21s used Fornals in the summer.

He will be hoping it doesn’t come to that and Haller stays fit.

But it is certainly food for thought for the Chilean if the worst case scenario arises.