Confirmed: Zouma facing up to three months out
- by Staff Writer
- Tuesday, 7th December 2021
Big summer signing Kurt Zouma is set to be sidelined for some considerable time after it was confirmed he sustained a serious hamstring injury during last weekend's 3-2 defeat of Chelsea.
The 26-year-old pulled up in the second half of the win against his former club but briefly resumed playing, before being forced to retire.And the news from West Ham, following a scan on Monday, means Zouma will potentially be out of action for months, rather than weeks.
"West Ham United can confirm that Kurt Zouma sustained a hamstring tendon injury during Saturday’s Premier League victory against Chelsea," read a statement from the club.
“A scan on Monday revealed the damage and the 27-year-old French international defender has already started his recovery programme at Rush Green under the supervision of the medical team.”
Hamstring tendon injuries vary in their recovery time depending upon the severity of the damage. Typically, gradual tears may heal within four to eight weeks - although complete tears or more serious damage can take as long as three months to heal.
David Moyes was already facing the prospect of entering the busy Christmas period without the experienced Angelo Ogbonna, but will now have to do without his fellow first team centre half.
He now has just Issa Diop and Craig Dawson to select from as experienced first team defenders, meaning rookies such as Ajibola Alese and Jamal Baptiste will almost certainly be promoted from the Under 23s as emergency cover.
Meanwhile Declan Rice, who began his professional career in the centre of defence may also be called upon to add experience in the position.
As a result of the news, Moyes and Head of Recruitment Rob Newman are likely to increase their search for reinforcements ahead of the January transfer window, which opens in three-and-a-half weeks' time.
* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.