Manuel Lanzini could be out of action for up to six weeks after he limped off during during the 2-0 win over Liverpool according to the club’s joint-chairman David Gold.
The Argentinian has just from a thigh injury and hit the post today before being forced off late in the first half.
Gold confirmed on twitter that the player would undergo further tests to determine the extent of the problem, but said the 22-year-old could be out of action for up to six weeks.
Gold told his followers: “We will know more about Manuel’s injury after the scan on Monday but it could be 4/6 weeks. He was superb today.”
In his post-match press conference, the Hammers manager Slaven Bilic was a little more optimistic and said he hopes the playmaker will not be absent for a further extended spell.
“They have told me a little bit and I will hear more tomorrow. It is not big. It is the same, it is not the hamstring or the muscle, it is some kind of abductor and the tendon. I hope it is going to be like they have said now, just a little bit”
Hopefully it won’t be that long.But we have to make sure we ease Payet back in. I’ll have him on the bench against Wolves, save him for Bournemouth and Newcastle.
We have 3 games in 8 days coming up. We can use Moses,Song,Obiang,Cullen and Oxford for the Wolves game. I was all up for having our strongest line up for the Cup game but we need to manage the players through this spell so we can go for a top 6 place which is achievable
Now Payets return is so important,we need that piece of magic that only Lanzini,Payet and Valencia can produce,
Agree next week I would rest Cresswell,Carroll,Antonio,Noble,Tomkins,Ginge,they need a break after Xmas and with Moses,Valencia Zarate,Jelavic to cover the front
Song,Cullen,Obiang to cover the midfield
Reid,Hendrie,Jenkinson to come in at the back
We would still have a great team and to much for the Wolves,
I’d like to keep the front 3 together for another game.
They’re on a role, be good for them to stick together and bond even more.
Tomkins, deserves a rest, he’s played more than any player and can do with putting his feet up with Jenkinson available.
Collins to can rest up, with Reid back we need to give game time to him and keep competition at is max.
Obiang,Song and time to give Cullen a chance in a still strong side in the midfield.
Adrain
Jenkinson
Reid
Ogbonna
Cresswell
Obinna
Song
Cullen
Vallencia
Carroll
Antonio
Subs
Randolph
Hendrie
Moses
Payet
Jelavic
Zarate
Oxford
Payet for Valencia 60 mins
Moses for Antonio 65 mins
Oxford for Ogbonna 70 mins
Obiang
not Obinna…doh…