By Louis Nixon

West Ham have now lost Malick Diouf and Wan-Bissaka due to AFCON, but even with the backups, the Hammers have now suffered yet another setback ahead of a crucial Premier League period. 

Ollie Scarles and Walker-Peters returned to the starting squad today as anticipated but throughout the game, going into the second half, Ollie Scarles would be brought off for Ezra Mayers due to suffering an injury and not being able to continue on.

Whilst it’s unknown if it is a serious injury or if he’s out for a prolonged period of time, at this moment of thought, we’re now a team that’s sat in the relegation zone at Christmas with one senior fallback that is available to us. 

It is now likely that our transfer plans might have to change, seeing as whilst signing three players was already crucial, that three might have to turn into four because we need cover and squad depth, though, it is worth noting that conveinently Charlie Cresswell also used to play fallback… just a consideration! 

However, in the meantime, presuming that Scarles will be out for Fulham, which is our next game, you’d suspect Nuno will start Mayers given that in the recent matches he has subsituted him on when he’s been able to, Brighton being that pivitol example, subsequently meaning Nuno is impressed by the youth and a senior start could be on the horrizon. 

It is a dire situation to be in but unfortunately, at this moment in time, there’s not much more the Hammers can do. Many classed Manchester City as a write-off, but to also suffer an injury to such a key player at the moment is incredibly cruel. It seems that for struggling teams, when it rains, it pours.