By Hughie Southon
West Ham are hopeful that Kurt Zouma will be back for the game against Wolves on January 14 at Molineux.
The central defender had wash out surgery on his knee injury following the game against Leicester on November 12.
But the hospital visit took place later in the week and there is usually a six week recovery period for such issues.
The player is still not training and there seems little chance of him being ready for Christmas and early new year games.
However, there are hopes that Nayef Aguerd will have recovered from his thigh injury in time for the game against Arsenal.
However it seems more probable that he will be available for the game against Brentford at the London Stadium or the away game at Leeds on January 4.
With both central defenders unavailable it would mean that either Thilo Kherer or Ben Johnson would partner Craig Dawson in the festive games.
Ogbonna to partner Dawson for me rather than either Kehrer or Johnson. For me, Coufal is getting back towards his level, with Ashby as the best alternative at RB, irrespective of the noise surrounding his possible move to Newcastle. Left back is my problem area if Cresswell is unfit, unless we recall Longelo back from his loan as Emerson just doesn’t impress me defensively. Even if everyone is fit we still seem to lack pace at the back. I haven’t seen enough of Aguerd in the PL to see how quick he is. An encouraging performance at Udinese but Fulham will be a sterner PL test. COYI