West Ham United's Head of Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke has given West Ham's first team squad a full bill of health - with the exception of just one player.
Diafra Sakho, whose absence from a club event and Saturday's 3-3 draw with Arsenal led to much speculation last weekend is unlikely to return to action until this coming weekend at the earliest, according to Vandenbroucke."With Ginge, Tonks and Sam back in training, we have just the one injury at present," he told whufc.com in his earlier-than-usual weekly round-up. "That is Diafra Sakho.
"Unfortunately Sam is cup-tied, but we hope to have all three of them back in first-team contention soon. Diaf picked up a minor right knee injury in training on Friday and we hope to see him back on the pitch either at the end of the week or the beginning of next week."
Vandenbroucke, who in addition to two spells at West Ham has worked for the likes of Dynamo Moscow and Anji Makhachkala - plus the Chinese and Albanian national teams - believes that the club is well prepared for another European excursion - should they achieve qualification via the Premier League or FA Cup this season.
"West Ham United is becoming a top team at all levels – stadium, training ground, the players we have signed – and a top team has a high number of games so we all have to rise to the challenge," he added.
"We hope that this intensity and busy fixture list is going to sustain into next season because we are playing in the UEFA Europa League or even the UEFA Champions League, and also have two good domestic cup runs.
"I and a number of my staff have worked at clubs which have progressed into European competition previously and I can assure you that the staff relish the adventure like the supporters do."
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