West Ham United injury optimism on Kurt Zouma dashed amid new update
Hopes that Kurt Zouma may be closer to a West Ham return than feared appear to have been dashed, according to Claret & Hugh.
The centre-back had surgery following an injury picked up against Leicester on 12 November with a presumed absence of four to six weeks to follow.
But after the Frenchman was shown returning to Rush Green this week walking unaided some optimism had picked up that he would be ready to go sooner rather than later.
But apparently that is not the case as he isn’t in a position for involvement yet according to Claret & Hugh on Monday (5 December), whose report says: “We spoke to our key contact inside the London Stadium this lunchtime and it soon became clear that things were not as encouraging as we had all hoped.
“He explained: “Sadly, I don’t think he can train on the knee at the moment.””
Problem position
It is no wonder that West Ham are pushing so hard to get Luizao into the squad as soon as possible from Sao Paulo when the centre-back situation has proven to be such a nightmare over the past year.
Nayef Aguerd and Zouma have both now been significant absentees this season, after Angelo Ogbonna and Zouma again last season.
Add in the uncertainty over Craig Dawson’s future and the rush to source Thilo Kehrer when Issa Diop wanted to leave and it has been causing difficulties of one sort or another for months.
Rushing players back from injury is always risky and while it doesn’t look like Zouma is suffering any particular after-effects from the surgery it is disappointing to hear that he his likely still a way off.
A lack of fit central defenders was a feature of the opening day defeat to Manchester City and somewhat set the tone for what has so far proven to be a disappointing and frustrating season.
The sooner David Moyes is able to rely on some stability at the position the better if he is to ensure his job isn’t at risk and the club get anywhere near their pre-season ambitions.