Winston Reid’s days at West Ham United look numbered as his nightmare injury lay-off stretches to 18 months.
Reid has been out of action since suffering a freak knee injury in West Ham’s game against Swansea City last March.
The New Zealand defender was knocked unconscious and fell to the ground awkwardly.
The fans’s favourite then underwent surgery after suffering a setback.
He has been training with the club but will not be fit to play in the last game of the season at Watford.
Reid injury hell to stretch to 18 months
That means he will have missed the entirety of Manuel Pellegrini’s first season at West Ham.
And his spell in the wilderness will stretch to nearly 18 months as the earliest he could play a competitive game is August.
By then he may well be on his way out of the club.
Pellegrini clearly feels he cannot rely on the injury-prone Kiwi’s fitness if reports are true that he is targeting a new centre back this summer.
Pellegrini chasing £21m compatriot Maripan
As a result he is chasing a summer deal for Alaves centre back Guillermo Maripan.
The 24-year-old Chilean has a £21 million buyout clause and would be signed with a view to competing with Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop for a starting spot.
Respected Spanish outlet Marca claim Pellegrini is serious about signing his compatriot.
End of the road for Reid?
That could mean Reid has played his last game for the East Londoners after more than 220 appearances for the club.
Pellegrini knows he must sell to raise funds for transfers this summer.
If he can get fit in pre-season Reid may prove one of his most saleable assets.
Sky Sports claims the Hammers are willing to listen to offers for as many as nine squad members.
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