West Ham United vs Swansea City - Adrian ruled out of West Ham's closing fixtures by injury - 7M sport

West Ham United vs Swansea City - Adrian ruled out of West Ham's closing fixtures by injury



Posted Saturday, May 07, 2016 by PA

West Ham have been dealt a blow in their bid for European football with goalkeeper Adrian set to be sidelined for their three remaining Barclays Premier League matches.

The 29-year-old stopper has missed only three games for the Hammers in the league this season, but has been ruled out of Swansea's visit to Upton Park on Saturday with a calf injury.

Manager Slaven Bilic revealed Adrian sustained the issue following West Ham's 3-0 win at West Brom, and does not expect him to feature again this season.

Darren Randolph, the Ireland international who impressed in West Ham's run to the last eight of the FA Cup this term, will deputise for the stricken Adrian.

"Adrian is injured," Bilic said. "He felt his calf after the West Brom game and reported it to me.

"It's minor but unfortunately because it's his calf. He is out against Swansea and probably for the rest of the season.

"We have a great deputy in Randolph when we've needed him. Whenever he has stepped in he's been brilliant.

"He's one of the reasons we went far in the FA Cup. He was great against Manchester United, home and away, and Liverpool. We're happy to have him."

West Ham, who have one eye on qualification for next season's Champions League, are five points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City having played one game more.

The Hammers entertain Swansea, now safe from relegation, on Saturday before hosting Manchester United, whom they trail by just one point, in what will be the club's final game at Upton Park ahead of their move to the Olympic Stadium next season. They then travel to Stoke in their final game of the season.

But Bilic, in relaxed mood, added: "We don't think about the United game. We have three games to go. I told them we have one game and it's really like that, the game against Swansea tomorrow.

"I mean the game against Man United is the last ever to be played at Upton Park and, it's Man United, a special game anyway, but we have one game, versus Swansea, and we need to be totally focused on that game, not thinking about United or Stoke or the last game at the Boleyn Ground, only Swansea."

Swansea will be much changed for the trip to West Ham after securing their Barclays Premier League status.

Skipper Ashley Williams sits out the final two games of the season after a heavy workload, while Neil Taylor (groin), Gylfi Sigurdsson (shoulder), Jefferson Montero and Alberto Paloschi (both hamstring) are all missing.

Leroy Fer is back after hamstring trouble and Kyle Naughton, Federico Fernandez and Modou Barrow are also set to return to the starting line-up.

Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin has warned clubs outside the traditional Barclays Premier League elite not to get carried away by Leicester's success.

Leicester's shock title triumph has changed the landscape of English football - for one season at least - with the unfashionable Foxes stunning the Premier League's established order.

But Guidolin expects normal service to be resumed next season when the wealthiest clubs flex their muscles.

And the Italian's message will resonate with Swansea's weekend opponents West Ham, who will aim to build on a positive first season under Bilic after moving to their new Olympic Stadium home this summer.

"In the future the money in the Premier League goes to all teams, so a good squad, good manager and club can make a difference," said Swansea head coach Guidolin.

"It is possible to have a project and play for important targets.

"But it is not easy in the Premier League, you can do it one time (like Leicester) after 20 years.

"I won't call it a miracle because it is a true story for Leicester.

"A team can play for third, fourth or fifth, but to win it is very difficult."



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