David Moyes says West Ham are “worried” that the injury suffered by midfielder Lucas Paqueta in Saturday’s draw with Chelsea may be similar to the one which left him sidelined earlier in the season.
Paqueta missed three Premier League matches in October after hurting his collarbone and was briefly a doubt to recover in time to make Brazil’s World Cup squad.
He scored only his second Hammers goal in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle but lasted just 13 minutes in Saturday afternoon’s London derby clash at the London Stadium before having to be substituted off.
The Brazilian midfielder went down holding his shoulder after a challenge by new Chelsea signing Noni Madueke. He received treatment for several minutes before trying to continue, but signalled that he needed to come off just moments later.
“Losing Paqueta was a blow but we don’t know the answer yet,” Moyes said. “I don’t know, I haven’t asked the medical team but obviously, it’s a shoulder injury. I don’t know if he’s popped his shoulder or if it’s just the way he feels, I’ve not got the answer to that yet.”
Asked whether it could be similar to Paqueta’s previous injury, he added: “That’s exactly right, that’s what we’re worried about. I’ve not had a chance to talk to the medical team to see what they are saying about it.”
West Ham suffered a further injury scare when Nayef Aguerd, outstanding at centre-back since the World Cup, was forced off late on, while Moyes revealed Declan Rice had played despite struggling with a virus.
“Aguerd had a bit of groin [issue],” Moyes said. “The big thing for us is that Declan Rice played with a virus today and you can probably see that he was the way he was because of a virus and it had a big effect on us.”
The expectation is at this stage both players will be heading for scans early this week. A key source inside the club told Claret and Hugh: ” We will no more on both players within 72 hours” and it is a case of fingers crossed at the moment because obviously we need our key players fit given the problems we have had so far this campaign.
Paqueta’s form has been improving in really good style over recent games and Aguerd has drawn widespread praise for his performances since recovering from previous injuries during the course of the Premier League season and Moroccan World Cup campaign.
West Ham will know within 72 hours whether Lucas Paqueta and Nayef Aguerd are likely to be available for the match against Spurs next weekend.
