Hammer blow as ace is out for season

Issa Diop is out for the rest of the season.

The defender took a knock to his ankle towards the end of the 1-1 draw with Burnley at the weekend but played on through the pain.

And we have now had our worst fears confirmed, with ExWHUEmployee confirming that he is set to miss the run-in in what will prove a hammer blow to boss David Moyes.

The Irons are already without Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna so Diop’s injury leaves the Irons down to one fit senior centre-back in Craig Dawson.

Of course, the Hammers are preparing for a Europa League semi-final with Eintracht Frankfurt and may have to do so with a patched-up backline.

There is the option of dropping Declan Rice into centre-back, or potentially calling on youngster Aji Alese, as the Irons try to win the trophy and finish in the top six.

Diop has made 13 Premier League appearances this season.