However, there remain hopes that he could recover sufficiently during the international break for him to take his place on the bench for the game against Spurs on November 23.
However, it’s a slim option according to our sources within the club and it of course means that we are going to be without both the captain and Manu Lanzini from the starting line up for the London derby against the old enemy.
ClaretandHugh was told by e mail from a senior source: “He could be out for several weeks with an outside chance he could make it onto the bench for the game against Spurs.”
The Hammers have big problems should be be unavailable with Carlos Sanchez the likely replacement unless the manager looks to the under 23s.
Pellegrini has options and could add Nathan Holland to options which are set to include Rice, Sanchez, Snodgrass, Yarmolenko, Fornals, Wilshere and Antonio – due back but likely to fill the forward role.