Lucas Paqueta set to undergo scan as new West Ham United injury scare emerges
West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta is set to undergo a scan on Friday (29 December) after suffering a knee injury against Arsenal, according to Jacob Steinberg.
The Guardian journalist shared on his Twitter account (29 December) that the Hammers are hopeful that the injury suffered isn’t too bad with the Brazilian set for a scan to determine the severity of the injury.
The West Ham ever-present was withdrawn after 33 minutes following a knock to his knee as David Moyes’ men stunned Arsenal at the Emirates on Thursday (28 December) to record their first win in North London in eight years.
Steinberg posted: “Lucas Paqueta to undergo a scan on his knee injury today. West Ham hopeful it isn’t too bad.”
Fingers crossed
When Paqueta trudged off the pitch before half-time, plenty of West Ham United fans may well have been fearing the worst for the Brazilian after he went down wincing.
The 26-year-old midfielder has been absolutely stunning for the East Londoners this season and in recent weeks, recording four assists in his last two games before Thursday’s Arsenal win and recording two goals and five assists so far this season.
There is now a real hope at the club that Paqueta’s knock isn’t as bad as it may have looked but they can take encouragement from the sight of the Brazilian walking off the players at full time which suggests it may not be a severe blow.
With Mohammed Kudus set for a spell away from the club on AFCON duty for his country Ghana, the Hammers simply cannot afford an injury to Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen or even Kudus on international duty.
All three players are absolutely pivotal to Moyes’ attack with the club struggling for goals and consistency from their strikers in Michail Antonio and Danny Ings. If the worst should happen to Paqueta, who do they rely on for creativity?
In other West Ham United news, the club has made a “100%” Moyes sack decision, with David Sullivan set to schedule a sit-down early next year.