- Paqueta likely to be out for at least two months
- Brazilian suffers recurrence of calf problem
- Bowen also on sidelines
West Ham United midfielder, Lucas Paqueta, is facing a potential absence of “at least two months” due to a calf injury.
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Paqueta set to consult with specialist
The Brazilian experienced a recurrence of the problem during Sunday’s FA Cup match against Bristol City, exacerbating an injury initially sustained against Arsenal in December. Paqueta, who played a crucial role in West Ham’s recent successes, including their Europa Conference League triumph, will consult with a specialist to assess the extent of the injury.
This setback comes as a significant blow for manager David Moyes, particularly with key player Jarrod Bowen also expected to miss a couple of games due to an ankle issue sustained in the same match against Bristol City. Although Bowen’s injury is not as severe as initially feared, he is likely to sit out the replay against Bristol City on January 16 and may be unavailable for the subsequent Premier League fixture against Sheffield United.
West Ham is currently facing challenges in their attacking options, with Mohammed Kudus participating in the African Cup of Nations with Ghana, and Michail Antonio experiencing a setback in his recovery from a knee injury. This situation makes it improbable for the potential loan out of Danny Ings from London Stadium, prompting West Ham officials to explore options for bolstering Moyes’ squad.
Rumoured targets include Sunderland winger Jack Clarke and former Tottenham player Steven Bergwijn, now with Ajax. As the club navigates these challenges, fans and observers await further updates on player injuries and potential transfer activities. For the latest developments, it is advisable to consult official club announcements and reputable sports news sources.
Betting Implications
Moyes is continuing to do a great job with the Hammers and has his side well placed for a push for the European places in the Premier League. However, injuries and AFCON call ups are threatening to make January a tough month for West Ham. Bettors need to work out the impact some of these key absences will have on West Ham when betting on outrights and individual matches.
At the time of writing, bet365 have West Ham at 7/2 to finish in the top six of the Premier League.
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