West Ham's Slaven Bilic confirms Andre Ayew out for four months and requires surgery on thigh injury

Hammer blow: Andre Ayew will be out of action for four months
Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images
Vaishali Bhardwaj18 August 2016

Slaven Bilic has confirmed that West Ham's club-record signing Andre Ayew will require surgery on his thigh injury and will out of action until Christmas.

Bilic was handed a major blow on Monday night after Ayew, who only signed from Swansea City last week, lasted just half an hour on his West Ham debut against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after sustaining a thigh injury as he chased down Eden Hazard.

Bilic had hoped Ayew would only be sidelined for a few days but, after the Ghana international underwent a scan on Wednesday, West Ham revealed the winger had suffered a "significant" injury.

The Hammers coach has since confirmed that the club are looking for the best surgeon with Ayew set to be sidelined for about four months.

Speaking to BT Sport after West Ham's 1-1 draw against Astra Giurgiu on Thursday, Bilic said: "It is not good and he needs surgery.

"Four months is a big, big blow for us but he’ll be back.

"If he’s a good healer he can be back before Christmas. We have to cope with it. There’s no point moaning about it."

West Ham took a first-half lead in their Europa League qualifying play-off first-leg in Romania thanks to Mark Noble's penalty.

Optimistic: Slaven Bilic
Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images

But the Hammers wasted a host of chances to put the game out of reach for Astra and were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw after substitute Denis Alibec equalised with eight minutes left to play.

The result means West Ham are without a win in their first two competitive fixtures of the new season, but Bilic remained optimistic about his side progressing to the next round of the Europa League despite being eliminated at this same stage by Astra last season.

"It is a shame, but it is a good result. A couple of minutes before the goal we had a good counter with Marcus Browne but unfortunately we missed the target. Instead of 2-0, and probably killing the game, they got a corner and scored," Bilic said.

"We hope we will win the second leg but this mixed side with senior and youngsters, it is a good result. We played with some young kids and a great experience for them.

"We only wanted to rest two or three players but the rest are out because they could not play."

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