Alphonse Areola has been one of West Ham’s best players this season and now he’s opened up on the reason he’s worried about his injury.
When West Ham line up for another crucial European place six-pointer against Wolves, Alphonse Areola will be missing again.
David Moyes confirmed his number one stopper faced a spell on the sidelines after his injury in the defeat at Newcastle.
Usually an injury to the inner thigh/groin area would keep a goalkeeper out for at least two to three weeks.
But ahead of Spurs the manager did offer a glimmer of hope Areola might be back for the next game.
Moyes offered hope of Wolves return for Areola
That’s the crunch Premier League clash with Wolves at Molinuex on Saturday.
Moyes has confirmed that big cat Areola will not be available again, though.
That leaves the nerve-wracking prospect of youngster Joseph Anang deputising for Lukasz Fabianski during the most important period of the campaign.
Hammers boss Moyes had said he hoped Areola’s injury was ‘not too serious’.
So what’s the delay?
Well now key West Ham star Areola has opened up on the reason he’s worried about his new injury blow.
Hammers’ number one still out and explains why he’s worried
Speaking to West Ham’s official website, the Frenchman says it is the type of injury he simply cannot take a risk with.
“On one kick against Newcastle I felt a pain in my groin, and I knew something wasn’t right,” Areola said.
“But I’m doing everything I can to be ready as soon as possible.
“The thing with muscle injuries is that you can’t rush back, or you risk making it worse.
“Hopefully I can recover quickly, and the team can get the right result at Wolves.”
Most Premier League clubs have three senior goalkeepers with a veteran as third choice. But West Ham’s squad is slightly different.
West Ham’s delicate goalkeeping situation for crucial period
Since the departures of David Martin and Darren Randolph, Moyes has elected to elevate Anang to that third choice role.
The concerning issue now is that the young Ghana-born star may be thrown in at the deep end should anything happen to Fabianski – who himself has been somewhat injury prone in recent seasons.
This week, though, Moyes did dismiss fears that Anang will suddenly be required.
“Er, no (I’m not worried that Fabianski is the only fit senior ‘keeper) I think most of the year we’ve had the same situation you know, it’s very rarely that you always need three goalkeepers,” Moyes said.