West Ham United boss David Moyes faces a worrying week and some big decisions as the injury situation worsens.
Merson says West Ham must wheel out Antonio as confusion reigns over injury
West Ham are already without key trio Angelo Ogbonna, Declan Rice and Michail Antonio.
The latter two are out for at least a month and possibly the rest of West Ham’s season.
The Hammers then lost both Aaron Cresswell and captain Mark Noble in the nervy but amazing 3-2 win over Leicester on Sunday.
Moyes unsure over new double injury blow
Speaking in his post match press conference, Moyes was unsure over both players.
But he admitted West Ham cannot afford to lose many more of their starting XI.
“My biggest concern would be we really can’t afford to lose too many more players through injury because it will affect our performances as we go along,” Moyes told the press.
It has been confirmed that both Noble and Cresswell will have scans on elbow and hamstring injuries this week.
Even if Cresswell’s injury is just a slight strain he would unlikely to be fit for the trip to Newcastle at the weekend.
Noble hopeful but Hammers boss faces some big decisions ahead of Newcastle
Noble himself is hopeful. He told whufc.com after the game he hopes to be ok.
“I’m a bit sore,” Noble told whufc.com.
“I remember making a block tackle on the edge of the box and I felt something, it’s my elbow that’s sore, but I’m hoping I’ll be okay for next week.”
It means Moyes faces some big decisions this week.
Ogbonna will have had two full weeks of training back with the team. And he could make a welcome return just in time.
Ogbonna’s timely return? Midfield conundrum on the cards?
That would take care of the Cresswell issue.
Although Fabian Balbuena – despite a nervy performance when coming on against Leicester – may be used instead if Moyes feels Ogbonna is not quite ready.
Central midfield will be where Moyes has a conundrum to solve if Noble does not make it.
Moyes has already said young midfielder Conor Coventry is not in his thoughts despite making the bench against Leicester.
The Scot may have to use Pablo Fornals in central midfield alongside Tomas Soucek.
And either Said Benrahma or – if fit to return after his own injury – Manuel Lanzini will come in to take up Fornals’s position.