West Ham have been dealt a big blow on the personnel front ahead of their second leg clash with Lyon on Thursday.
The Hammers have made it to the Europa League quarter-finals for the first time in their history and were drawn against the French outfit in the last-eight.
In the first leg at the London Stadium West Ham took a 1-0 lead through Jarrod Bowen, but were pegged back by Tanguy Ndombele 66 minutes in.
The Hammers would also lose Aaron Creswell in that match as the defender was shown a red card in first-half injury-time.
Now, David Moyes is set to be without a second key defender as West Ham have confirmed that Kurt Zouma will miss this Thursday’s matchup:
“West Ham United can confirm that Kurt Zouma will miss Thursday’s UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg tie against Olympique Lyonnais,” they said in a statement.
“The France international defender is to remain in London for further tests and examination on the ankle injury he suffered during Sunday’s Premier League match at Brentford. Everyone at West Ham United would like to wish Kurt a speedy recovery.”
We can confirm that Kurt Zouma will miss Thursday’s #UEL quarter-final second leg against Lyon through injury.https://t.co/GfKwYvk774
— West Ham United (@WestHam) April 12, 2022
West Ham’s season unravelling?
Zouma’s injury is just the latest in a long line of injury woes West Ham have suffered this year.
And, as the east London outfit did not improve their side in January, their paper-thin squad is being impacted more than most.
West Ham face an uphill battle to stay in the Europa League and are in danger of slipping out of the European places in the Premier League as well.
