Breaking news: Valencia may need surgery after all!

Enner Valencia’s joyous outburst that he needs no surgery to the injuries picked up against FC Astra may be premature.

The striker took to Instagram today, declaring that he had good news and that there was no need for surgery! But the club’s medical team has claimed this may not be the case.

 Stijn Vandenbroucke, West Ham’s head of medical and sports science, confirmed Valencia could miss up to three months after the Ecuador hitman had made his statement on social media.

He told the club’s website: “Enner visited the consultant on Monday morning, when we discussed the results of the scans he underwent on the injury last Friday.

“The outcome is that there is now a very small chance he will need an operation and that we instead hope to treat the injury to his fibula using conservative treatment, which we hope to start in three weeks.

“We will know for sure whether or not Enner will need an operation next week but if everything goes to plan we hope he will be available for selection again within 10 to 12 weeks. Enner will spend the next three weeks in a walking boot and using crutches, after which we will start his rehabilitation.”

Valencia had written: “I would like to thank everyone for the support and the affection shown on this difficult moment. Thanks God, today I received great news as I won’t need surgery, all the best!”

However, with the club’s record signing, Andy Carroll, out injured, Slaven Bilic is still likely to sign another striker before the transfer window closes. He has Diafra Sakho, Mauro Zárate and Mobido Maïga available for the return leg in Romania and the Premier League opener at Arsenal on Sunday.

A loan move for the Atlético Madrid and Mexico forward, Raúl Jiménez, has been widely reported – but the 24-year-old will require a UK work permit before making the move to the Boleyn.