West Ham United: Jarrod Bowen injury update shared ahead of Backa Topola and Crystal Palace games

West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen will not return from injury in time for the Europa League tie with Backa Topola, according to Claret & Hugh.

In an update on its website on Tuesday [28 November], the Hammers insider reported that Bowen could be back for the Crystal Palace game.

Bowen missed the 2-1 win against Burnley last weekend after sustaining a minor injury while on international duty with England.

The report read: "The No 20 is improving from his injury but won't be sufficiently fit to play against Backa Topola in Serbia.

"We were told this morning however that there are high hopes he will be available for the match against Crystal Palace."

Don't risk him

Losing Bowen for one game, let alone two or more, is a massive blow. The versatile winger has once again been a standout performer this term.

It may well be that Bowen would not have played against Backa in midweek anyway, but he certainly would have started against Palace.

According to this update, the 26-year-old should either be fit for a place among the substitutes, or possibly even for the starting line-up.

Given Michail Antonio is also out, David Moyes will be hopeful Bowen proves he is fit enough to start next Sunday's (3 December) showdown.

The last thing West Ham need is for Bowen to aggravate the injury at any point, though, so they cannot afford to rush him back ahead of schedule.

If he is not 100% fit to face Palace at London Stadium, then so be it. If there is one player United cannot afford to lose for the long term, it's Bowen.

In other West Ham news, a journalist has shared a decision made by Moyes that has caused "unease".