West Ham United vs Southampton - Arthur Masuaku ruled out for six weeks

Posted Saturday, September 24, 2016 by PA

West Ham have been dealt another injury blow ahead of their game against Southampton with the news that defender Arthur Masuaku will be out for at least six weeks.

The 22-year-old Frenchman was brought in for B£6million from Olympiacos in August as cover for injured left-back Aaron Cresswell.

But Masuaku has now joined Cresswell on the casualty list after damaging knee ligaments during the EFL Cup win over Accrington on Wednesday night.

For manager Slaven Bilic it is another problem to solve in a defence which conceded eight goals in their previous two Premier League outings.

The Hammers face Southampton on Sunday without a recognised senior left-back, so one of Alvaro Arbeloa or Sam Byram will have to move across from right-back to fill in.

"Masuaku did his knee against Accrington, he damaged ligaments and we will know better in a week but it's going to be at least six weeks, if not more," said Bilic.

"Some players can play in different positions, and you can fill gaps, but when you have two left-backs who have done the same ligaments it's not good news.

"But I'm not looking for excuses. We have a good team and I expect us to do it on Sunday."

Bilic can welcome centre-half Winston Reid back after a couple of weeks on the sidelines and also had positive news on Cresswell, as well as injury-hit striker Andy Carroll.

"It was in the papers on the day we played Accrington that Carroll had had a setback, but it's not true," he added.

"We are expecting him and Cresswell to join and train with the team after the international break.

"Injury-wise we look much better than at the beginning of the season. We have a good team and I expect us to be really good in every way on Sunday afternoon."

Summer signing Andre Ayew and fellow forward Diafra Sakho are still out injured.

Saints boss Claude Puel, meanwhile, has warned his side not to let themselves be distracted by trying to keep playmaker Dimitri Payet quiet.

France international Payet scored a 25-yard free-kick in injury time to see off the challenge of Accrington in midweek.

Puel said: "It (a free-kick from Payet) would be a good opportunity for them, and of course defending is important, but we must also concentrate on all the many good things we do on the pitch.

"He (Payet) is a very good player on the free-kicks, but our players also have many qualities and it will be difficult for West Ham to defend these players.

"It is important to keep in our minds all of the good things we can make on the pitch and not just to stay in close (attention) with the opponent, (but) to give a good answer against all of the (West Ham) team, with a good concentration."

Forward Jay Rodriguez has been ruled out of the game with a groin problem.