Tom Clark suggests when West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna could return to action
West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a major blow.
The 33-year-old defender picked up the injury during West Ham’s 3-2 victory against Liverpool on Sunday in the Premier League.
He was forced from the field during the first half, and was replaced by Craig Dawson. He is expected to remain on the sidelines for a lengthy spell.
According to journalist Tom Clark, the Hammers will confirm later this week that whether the defender will need surgery on his ACL.
If he doesn’t require surgery, “it’s likely either a grade 1 (mild) / grade 2 (moderate tear, this is rarest)” that will rule him out for 2-4 weeks. However, it is a serious injury and requires surgery, he could be out for 6-8 weeks. He explained on Twitter:
Massive blow
The injury to Ogbonna is a massive blow for the club. He is a fantastic defender and has been playing really well this season alongside Kurt Zouma.
David Moyes does have options in the form of Issa Diop and Dawson, but Ogbonna brings different quality, being a left-footed centre-back.
It won’t be easy to replace him but Moyes will hope that other players will step up in his absence.
If he requires surgery, it means his season is over. Considering his age, he will require more time to recuperate and then return to match fitness.
It will be interesting to see if Moyes brings in a new defender, even on a short-term basis, at the club during the January transfer window.
Ogbonna has a deal at the club that ends in 2021-22. If he misses the current campaign through injury, the club will reportedly offer him a new deal.
In other West Ham news, Jesse Lingard has sent a two-word message to Hammers ace after 3-2 win v Liverpool.