West Ham United could be without Kurt Zouma for four months – Injury expert
Kurt Zouma’s recent surgery could see him sidelined at West Ham for up to four months, according to injury journalist Ben Dinnery.
Zouma has been visibly struggling with injury in recent months and the French centre-back went under the knife to try and sort the issue ahead of the second half of the season.
The 28-year-old has suffered a number of issues with his knee throughout his injury, but Dinnery believes surgery was essential if Zouma was ever going to play again without pain.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Dinnery said: “Depending on the extent of that surgery – whether it’s just a bit of a flush out and a bit of a trim or it’s something a little bit more involved in terms of the meniscus – you could be talking a period of four to six weeks or possibly three to four months.
“Imaging may not have been conclusive but, suffice to say, it would give a strong indication that if the player wants to play pain-free going forward, that decision to take the operation was the correct move to make.”
Huge blow
Despite sitting 16th in the Premier League after a poor start to the season, West Ham’s defensive record is only bettered by the top three teams in the table
David Moyes’ side have only conceded 17 goals – scoring them has been the issue. But with Zouma now sidelined for possibly months and Craig Dawson’s future up in the air, the Hammers will desperately need defensive reinforcements in January.
Zouma and Dawson have both been regulars in the West Ham defence under Moyes, and without them both, the team will hugely lack a physical and experienced presence.
Thilo Kehrer and Nayef Aguerd are both talented defenders but neither has truly settled down in the Premier League following their summer moves.
It’s hard to believe, but things definitely can get worse for West Ham if Moyes isn’t backed in January. Zouma’s absence will be ringing huge alarm bells at the London Stadium.