Enner Valencia has joined the list of players to suffer a freak accident when he cut his big toe on a broken cup at home, making the striker a big doubt for Saturday’s match against Arsenal in the Barclays Premier League.
Sam Allardyce, the West Ham manager - already without Andy Carroll and Carlton Cole - is now short of attacking players for the trip to the Emirates Stadium.
Valencia was taken to hospital and has had stitches on a nasty cut but Allardyce played down fears that the 25-year-old Ecuador World Cup star could be out for between four and six weeks.
“Enner has had an accident at home and has cut his big toe quite severely on a broken cup,” the 60-year-old said.
“We’re not exactly certain but we think it will be too soon for him be considered for the game at Arsenal on Saturday. It was a freak accident at a time when we could have done without it due to our lack of available strikers.”
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Allardyce will be forced to play Diafra Sakho on his own up front and have five midfielders, a similar tactic to that which he employed in last week’s 1-0 defeat at home to Chelsea which extended the club’s record to only one win in 11 Premier League games.
“If we are to win we will have to take the chance like we did against Chelsea. Unfortunately, on the day we did not convert any of our chances against Chelsea even though we were at our best,” the manager added.
West Ham, who have been in Dubai for a mid-season break, will be without Winston Reid, who has a hamstring problem, and Carl Jenkinson, who is on a season-long loan from Arsenal and so ineligible.
“Without having alternatives to use it is a concern going into the last ten games,” Allardyce said. “Alexandre Song has a little bit of a knee problem, he did not join us; he had more intense training back here.”
West Ham are tenth in the Premier League, 15 points behind Arsenal, who occupy third spot and are nine points behind the leaders, Chelsea.
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Bizarre injuries befalling footballers
David Seaman
The former Arsenal and England goalkeeper pulled a back muscle while reaching for the remote control in order to video Coronation Street.
Richard Wright
During his Everton days, the goalkeeper, damaged his shoulder by lunging through a loft floor in 2003. He was also ruled out of a FA Cup fourth-round replay against Chelsea when he tripped over a sign while warming up at Stamford Bridge in 2006
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Rio Ferdinand
During his spell at Leeds United, the much-decorated former Manchester United and England central defender picked up a tendon strain in his knee while watching TV one night with his foot resting on a table for several hours.
Chic Brodie
The Brentford goalkeeper’s career ended after he collided with a dog and shattered his kneecap in a match against Colchester United in 1970
David Batty
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The combative former Leeds United and England midfielder aggravated an Achilles strain when his toddler’s tricycle hit him.
Dave Beasant
The veteran goalkeeper managed to rule himself out for eight weeks in 1993 when he dropped a bottle of salad cream on his foot, severing the tendon in his big toe