Following the FA Cup exit, David Moyes has provided an exceedingly concerning update on Edson Alvarez and Pablo Fornals’ injuries for West Ham.
It’s safe to say that both West Ham and David Moyes have had a very bad start to the new year.
The Hammers’ dismal FA Cup loss against midtable Championship side Bristol City follows three terrible performances and results, the absence of important players from the AFCON, and the lack of progress in acquiring new players.
The alarming lack of depth and quality in West Ham’s squad has been made clear by a slew of injuries to important players.
There had been brighter news this week with word Jarrod Bowen might be back sooner than expected for the trip to Sheffield United on Sunday.
With no Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paqueta or Michail Antonio for the foreseeable future that would be a much needed boost for the Irons.
But now there is more injury misery it seems.
Because Moyes has delivered an extremely worrying West Ham injury update on Edson Alvarez and Pablo Fornals.
Fornals and El Machin were also absent from the squad.
Alvarez is a key player for West Ham in the middle of the midfield, so his absence in particular is obviously concerning.
Speaking in the wake of the defeat at Ashton Gate, Moyes admitted Alvarez injured his calf last week.
And given that a calf injury has ruled Paqueta out for at least a month, that will fill West Ham fans with dread.
Fornals meanwhile has an unspecified foot injury according to the Scot.
“Pablo (Fornals) picked up a foot injury in training yesterday (Monday),” Moyes said, as reported by The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas.
“He got a kick in the foot which made him unavailable.
“(Edson) Alvarez felt his calf in training on Friday, so that’s what made him a doubt.”
It’s not clear whether Alvarez has trained since feeling the injury last week. But if he hasn’t by this stage then it would make him a major doubt for the trip to Sheffield United.
With Said Benrahma serving the first of a three-game ban vs the Blades following his sending off, West Ham’s numbers continue to dwindle.
