West Ham have been hit by two crushing blows this morning with the news that both Fabian Balbuena and Chicharito’s injuries may keep them out over Christmas and beyond.
The central defender was injured as he launched a challenge which gave away the spot kick against Watford and looks to have been sidelined for a month – possibly longer.
Chicharito, meanwhile, felt a hamstring but the club are hopeful it will turn out not to be anything serious and that he could be available over the Christmas programme.
Balbuena has been a key performer for the team this season and the news that he appears to have damaged his knee ligaments is a big blow.
However, Angelo Ogbonna performed well when called into action yesterday and looks set to play a major part over the next few games at least.
A Hammers senior source contacting us by text message said: “Balbuena has a knee ligaments problem and will be scanned later this week. It could be two or three weeks or longer. Hernandes felt a hamstring but hopefully, it will prove not to be too much.”
I can’t believe how unlucky we have been with injuries we need some luck on that front . The hamehesyerday shows we need to match the fight of other teams. However we should have finished our chances . I don’t like digging our players but Masuaku no block on the shot for their second goal . We need an upgrade for him if we want to push on. Think we will need other short term loans to cover the ever growing list of injuries. Keep working hard lads we can go on another good run COYI ⚒
Hernandez missed three gilt-edged chances yesterday.
Starting with Carroll and Antonio might be the way to go v Soton. I would like to see Xande get some game time too. It might be too soon for Pérez, whose foot wound looked nasty.
Balbuena will be sorely missed.
I think its time Silva got a chance at Southampton.As the away team we will be relying on hitting them on the break and Xande has pace to burn.With Carroll its about getting it into the box and to be honest he didnt get on the end of much yesterday even when we did this against Watford.
So where is Oxford these days?
Just off the M40.