Fredericks/Johnson injury updates

West Ham have  confirmed that Ryan Fredericks has been ruled out of action until next month after suffering a hamstring strain during Sunday’s FA Cup third round victory at Gillingham.

In a statement on the official site the club says: “A scan on Monday morning revealed a small amount of damage to the muscle in his right leg and the 27-year-old has already started his recovery at Rush Green.

Head of Medical Richard Collinge said: “Ryan injured his hamstring while chasing back late in the first half and was assessed immediately before undergoing a scan.

He will now begin a period of rehabilitation and recovery, with the plan being to return to action before the end of February.”

Everyone at West Ham United would like to wish Ryan a full and speedy recovery.”

However, ClaretandHugh has learned that Ben Johnson is now back in training with the first team squad and after his own injury issues could be available within a fortnight.

The 6ft 1in right back is a powerful defender/wing back who has long been tipped as a real first team contender and an insider told us on the phone “He now has a real chance to show what he’s about.

Pablo Zabaleta is unlikely to be playing every game over the next month ans this gives the lad a real chance. He’s running again on grass and looking good in training so his time may have come .

At the same time it’s likely that Nathan Holland will move on loan to Oxford whilst Cono Coventry is being hunted by MK Dons.

Johnson is sure to be a player David Moyes will be looking at very  closely over forthcoming weeks with Fredericks out