Reports Nayef Aguerd could be back as soon as this weekend are very welcome but David Moyes could be left with a huge Spurs dilemma.
When Aguerd went down and stayed down in the draw with Chelsea last weekend, the hush in the ground was deafening.
West Ham fans know he is absolutely essential to any hopes they have of staying in the Premier League.
And Moyes will too.
The sight of him feeling his groin and Moyes channelling his inner Harry Redknapp by admitting the Hammers were ‘down to the bare bones’ cast a shadow over a recent slight upswing in performances and results.
It was yet another bitter blow ahead of a massive game against rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Especially given inconsistent Spurs are without three key players and manager Antonio Conte for the London derby.
With the likes of Kurt Zouma out, West Ham simply cannot afford to lose Aguerd for a long period.
So news the Moroccan’s knock is not as serious as first feared and that he could return as soon as the Tottenham game are very welcome indeed.
Nayef Aguerd – So you’re saying there’s a chance? | David Moyes could be left with huge Spurs dilemma
Claret and Hugh claim West Ham sources have told them Aguerd’s scan results were positive and “the club are now hopeful that as it showed little damage to his groin he may even make the game against Spurs”.
Aguerd – So you’re saying there’s a chance? Well now Moyes could be left with a huge Spurs dilemma.
West Ham are desperate for a win and three points this weekend because given the circumstances and fixtures involving the rest of the bottom six it is clear fork in the road for our season.
Does Moyes risk possibly playing his star defender too soon against Tottenham?
Let’s be honest it is difficult to see West Ham holding off Spurs’ ridiculously good front line without Aguerd.
So is the pursuit of three points in this game worth the risk given what it could do for West Ham’s confidence and form for the rest of the season.
Or does Moyes keep Aguerd back, let him recover and make sure he is fit for a six-pointer against Forest next weekend?
It’s a very difficult decision indeed and one which has high risk to reward.
Moyes can’t afford to get it wrong so it will be intriguing to see how he plays it at Tottenham on Sunday if indeed the Aguerd reports are accurate.