Thursday 12 March 2015 14:32, UK
West Ham are likely to be without Enner Valencia for Saturday’s trip to Arsenal after the striker suffered a freak injury.
The Ecuadorian, who has scored five goals in 30 appearances for the Hammers this season, required stitches to a deep laceration on his toe after standing on a broken cup at his home.
His absence will be a huge blow to manager Sam Allardyce who could have Diafra Sakho as his only fit striker at the weekend with Andy Carroll and Carlton Cole already ruled out of the trip to the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking to the assembled media ahead of Saturday's match, Allardyce said: "He had an accident at home and has cut his big toe quite severely on a broken cup and that has been stitched.
“We’re not exactly certain but we think it may be too soon for him to be considered for this game.
“A freak accident at home is something that we didn’t expect, but these are the things that seem to happen.
“And of course with it being one of our few strikers available, again it’s a big blow for us if that is the case.”
Valencia isn't the first footballer to hurt himself in embarrassing circumstances. Earlier this month, Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic injured himself celebrating after the Capital One Cup final, a game in which he did not play.
Spain goalkeeper Sanitago Canizares missed the 2002 World Cup after dropping a bottle of aftershave on his foot, while former England striker Darius Vassell injured himself when he tried to remedy a swollen big toe by drilling a hole into his foot to drain the excess blood out.
