Enner Valencia has been forced to apologise to West Ham United for saying that the club prevented him from seeing a specialist about his ankle and knee injuries.
The striker wanted a second opinion and has been resisting having an operation, which the club believe would help his recovery in the hope that he is able to return within four months. He sustained the injuries against Astra Giurgiu in the Europa League third qualifying round last month, leaving the club with two fit strikers.
Valencia suggested that he did not have faith in West Ham’s medical team because the nature of the injuries had not been diagnosed. “West Ham seem to have forgotten that I’m injured,” Valencia said. “But they won’t let me speak to another doctor. The truth is that West Ham have not been supporting me. I have been injured for a month and I still don’t know what the name of my injury is. I will have to ask a doctor to see me behind their backs.”
West Ham reminded Valencia of his responsibilities yesterday and he released a statement saying that he was frustrated at not playing.
West Ham may have one fit striker for the game against Liverpool on Saturday. Modibo Maïga will be available after his planned move to Al-Nassr, the Saudi Arabian club, was delayed. Diafra Sakho is rated 50-50 after a groin injury and Mauro Zárate and Andy Carroll — who at least returned to first-team training on Tuesday — are ruled out.