Lucas Paqueta Injury Exclusive
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta is set for a much longer spell on the sidelines than initially expected, Claret & Hugh has learned this evening.
The Brazilian midfielder underwent a scan on an ankle injury sustained in training, which the club initially suggested was merely precautionary.
Unfortunately, after speaking with a top club source, we have learned that Paqueta will be sidelined for three to four weeks while he recovers from his injured ankle.
The news will come as a bitter blow to new West Ham manager Graham Potter, who has been getting the very best out of the creative midfielder in recent games. Paqueta has looked rejuvenated under Potter’s management, making his absence even more frustrating.
The Hammers appear to be in the midst of a mini injury crisis, especially considering Jarrod Bowen and Jean-Clair Todibo have only just returned to the first-team squad.
Most had assumed that Paqueta would miss Saturday’s game against Arsenal, but it now appears he may not return until the same time as Niclas Füllkrug.
This means Potter and his coaching staff may have to wait until the Premier League clash against Everton before seeing Paqueta back in action.
We might stop leaking stupid goals with him out for a few weeks
Getting the very best out of him? Did you forget that ridiculous cross field pass on Saturday and times he has been responsible for conceding goals. Brilliant one minute, frustrating the next. He has spent more time on his backside appealing for free kicks than ever this season and if he is cleared he needs to be sold in the Summer with Kudus.
In terms of injuries as a club we have had one of the lowest numbers of injuries this season in the entire Premiership yet still sit 16th in the league. Who are we being linked with for the umpteenth time – Tammy Abraham and Callum Wilson! No wonder fans are questioning whether to renew Season Tickets when clubs such as Forest, Bournemouth, Fulham, Villa, Brighton, Brentford and Palace are all above us. We are 16 points behind European qualification places and half the players need to be sold this season. Just watching Real Madrid absolutely destroying City 6-2 on aggregate and Madrid’s front 4 have scored 69 goals this season. Our entire team have a goal difference of -18 and our top goal scorer has got 6 goals and was played at wing back on Saturday!