West Ham full back Ryan Fredericks is set to be sidelined for up to six weeks having undergone a shoulder operation.
And that means David Moyes will have a choice of rookie Jeremy Ngakia or veteran Pablo Zabaleta at right back until the final few weeks of the campaign.Embed from Getty Images
Fredericks sustained the injury as a result of this off-the-ball challenge
Fredericks sustained the injury as a result of this off-the-ball challenge
Fredericks, 27, sustained the injury during West Ham's 2-0 defeat at Manchester City last week as the result of a cynical foul by Citizen's midfielder Rodri.
Whilst the Spaniard escaped punishment for the challenge, the former Fulham man was forced to undergo surgery - which is likely to render him unavailable until April, at the earliest.
"Ryan’s surgery went exactly as planned and he will begin his rehabilitation and recovery immediately," Richard Collinge, West Ham's Head of Medical told whufc.com.
"The plan being for him to be available again in early to mid-April."
Embed from Getty Images
Deserving of a chance: Ngakia prodcued a good performance against the Premier League leaders
Deserving of a chance: Ngakia prodcued a good performance against the Premier League leaders
Although Academy star Jeremy Ngakia has been roundly praised for his performance against Liverpool on Monday night, the news will come as a bitter blow to David Moyes.
Zabaleta, 35, who is in the final year of his contract has looked off the pace all season and is likely to remain as back-up to 19-year-old Ngakia, who has been thrust into the spotlight as a result of Fredericks' injury.
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