West Ham midfielder Manuel Lanzini has added to Slaven Bilic’s injury crisis after being ruled out for six weeks with a quadriceps injury.
The 22-year-old pulled up in training ahead of Saturday’s visit to Old Trafford, where an injury-ravaged Hammers side held on for a 0-0 draw.
A scan on Monday revealed the extent of the thigh injury, which will see Lanzini miss the entire festive period and the FA Cup third round tie at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Lanzini joins Dimitri Payet, Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Victor Moses, who came off early in the Manchester United match, on the sidelines as West Ham’s attacking options are stretched to their limits. Of those only Valencia is currently expected to return before the new year, with Moses still being assessed.
West Ham's injury woes (Physioroom)
Enner Valencia (ankle) - 20 December
Manuel Lanzini (quadriceps) - mid-January
Dimitri Payet (ankle) - February
Diafra Sakho (thigh) - March
Victor Moses (hamstring) - TBC
In his Standard Sport column ahead of Saturday’s match Bilic admitted that losing several crucial attackers was a major blow for his side, but suggested it would not affect his transfer plans for the January window.
He said: “We should not abandon our future squad plans because we have lost one player, especially as he will be back fit again this season. On the other, Sakho’s thigh injury is a big blow with Payet also out until February and it reduces my options.
“We will continue to assess what we do over the coming weeks. But don’t expect any sudden changes in our transfer spending as we are calm about the situation.”
Lanzini has greatly impressed during his season-long loan from UAE side Al-Jazira, scoring four goals and registering an assist in his 12 appearances. Reported interest from Liverpool has been dismissed by co-chairman David Sullivan, who warned potential suitors that the Hammers have “an unbreakable option” on the Argentine.
