With the Premier League season getting underway exactly a week from today, West Ham has already suffered a major setback.
Enner Valencia was stretchered off from the Hammers’ Europa League match against Astra Giurgiu on Thursday, and the club has confirmed it is a “significant injury” to his knee and ankle.
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The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Valencia opening the scoring in the 23rd minute. But less than 15 minutes later, the Ecuadorian was forced off after suffering an injury to his right leg.
Below is a statement released on the club’s website:Enner Valencia sustained what initially appears to be a significant injury to his right knee and right ankle during Thursday’s UEFA Europa League third qualifying round first leg tie with Astra Giurgiu.
The Ecuador forward will see a specialist consultant at a clinic in central London on Monday morning and an update will be provided following that meeting.
It is too early to put a timescale on how long Enner’s recovery and rehabilitation period may be.”
It was a non-contact injury, which always makes things scarier. Valencia tried to cut with the ball, and his right leg seemed to get stuck underneath him, immediately going down in immense pain.
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To make matters worse for the Hammers, they conceded two goals at home after leading 2-0, and now are in need of a big result in the second leg in Romania.
West Ham’s first match of the domestic season is next Sunday against Arsenal, which will mark manager Slaven Bilic’s return to the Premier League. He played as a defender for the Hammers and Everton in the 1990’s, and was named manager at Upton Park in June.