David Moyes shares injury update on key West Ham United duo ahead of Arsenal
David Moyes has provided the latest injury update on West Ham defensive duo Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna ahead of this weekend’s clash against Arsenal.
The Scot’s centre-back crisis was eased slightly as Kurt Zouma passed a late fitness test to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League last night.
Speaking to the media ahead of their Premier League clash at the London Stadium on Sunday [May 1], Moyes shared if either defender will return to action before the end of the season.
He told West Ham: “Issa is making a really good recovery and there’s always an outside chance he’ll be back before the end of the season.
“We were worried and didn’t think he would be, but we think there is a good chance that he could be. But we can’t confirm that at this moment.”
Moyes continued: “I couldn’t give you any updates at the moment. We’re waiting on the players to arrive in and we’re going to be training later on, on Friday.
“Angelo has had an ACL injury but he’s back and has started running on the grass, which is great news. But the chances of being fit for some time this season… I very much doubt it.”
Huge boost.
Ogbonna isn’t going to feature again this season but the West Ham fans came to terms with that a long time ago after his horrendous injury suffered in the 3-2 win against Liverpool.
It is great news that he is back out on the training pitch and running on grass. That will allow him to fully prepare himself for a massive pre-season as the Irons look to build not only on the squad but the levels they have shown this season.
Being fit from the start might have a huge impact on the centre-back partnership next season – especially if the Hammers sign a central defender.
Like Zouma’s early return from injury, Diop will provide a massive boost also. Moyes has now gone from one fit centre-back in the shape of Craig Dawson to almost three as the Frenchman closes in on a return.
That will be crucial in the team rotation from now until the end of the season as the boss looks to save the players’ best for the Europa League.
In other West Ham news, Carlton Cole and Joe Cole were left in awe of rarely seen Hammer’s Europa League displays.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Hammers plus more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.