West Ham United face an almighty showdown with Tottenham on Saturday.
It’s a game dripping with narrative. Any meeting between West Ham United and Spurs is always a fiery affair, but the stakes feel incredibly high ahead of this particular Premier League clash.
Both managers are under huge pressure right now. Nuno’s long-term future at West Ham has been questioned and the same can be said for Spurs boss Thomas Frank.
Nuno did at least record a win in the FA Cup last weekend and was therefore hopeful that his team could build on it going forward.
With these players out or doutbful, who needs to step up against Tottenham?!
The idea that West Ham could start to turn their season around at the home of their rivals to further inflict misery on them will be rather sweet for supporters.
Still, Nuno – a former Spurs boss himself of course – will need his key players available to do that.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest West Ham United injury news and potential return dates.
Mateus Fernandes
Key midfielder Mateus Fernandes mustered 80 minutes against Nottingham Forest last week but was forced off towards the end.
The former Southampton man then missed the win over QPR in the FA Cup, placing him as a slight doubt for the trip to Spurs.
However, Fernandes is expected to be fit for Tottenham vs West Ham in a major boost for Nuno.
Before the game, Nuno said: “Mateus is back doing individual sessions.”
Potential return date: Saturday, 17 January, 2026 vs Tottenham
Be honest; how would YOU feel if West Ham swapped Nuno for Thomas Frank?
The Spurs boss has come in for huge criticism…
Lucas Paqueta
Lucas Paqueta missed the win over QPR with what the club call a back injury.
As such, the Brazilian is a doubt for the Spurs game. At his press conference, Nuno said: “Lucas is still on treatment. Let’s see, we have a couple of days to go [until the match].”
It’s difficult, however, to look past the ongoing speculation about Paqueta’s future at West Ham.
Until there is some official movement on his potential exit, however, Paqueta remains a West Ham player getting treatment on an injury.
Potential return date: Unknown
Konstantinos Mavropanos
Concern was raised when Konstantinos Mavropanos was stretchered off during West Ham’s win over QPR after landing awkwardly.
After the game, Nuno confirmed that Mavropanos had suffered a neck injury.
However, it has been claimed that West Ham expect Mavropanos to recover fairly quickly.
Though the Greek international doesn’t always convince, the sorry state of Nuno’s backline right now means he cannot do without the defender for long.
On Thursday, the West Ham boss confirmed: “Dinos has had a neck [problem], that took some time. It’s still painful.”
Potential return date: Unknown
Lukasz Fabianski
Lukasz Fabianski hasn’t featured for West Ham in a senior game since returning to the club in September.
A back injury has stopped him from even making an appearance in a matchday squad since the defeat at home to Tottenham in September.
However, Fabianski has confirmed that he’s looking to return to action for West Ham in February.
Earlier this week, the veteran said: “I’m currently training individually, but from February I’d like to work with the team at full capacity and be available for matches.”
Potential return date: Unknown
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