David Moyes has given an update on West Ham United goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski after he was seen in training wearing a protective mask.
The Hammers stopper has missed the last three games after suffering a fractured cheek bone and eye socket in a 4-0 win against Nottingham Forest.
Fabianksi is not expected to return until after the international break, but with the Poland international seen wearing a mask in training it has led to speculation that he could return sooner, as West Ham prepare to face AEK Larnaca on Thursday night in the Europa Conference League.
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“[Fabianski] feels like he is ready,” said Moyes in his pre-match press conference. “Medically we are a little bit unsure as they are worried about him getting a ball in the face.
“He is saying he is not bothered about that and wants to get back playing. He wants to actually play without the mask.
“The mask is just there for training to protect him and no risk. More than likely, by the time we come back in a couple of weeks time, hopefully he won’t be too far away.
“I have got no problem with [wearing a mask in games], but I haven’t got a strong enough opinion on it. Sometimes anything on your face means you don’t see other things, if you wear a hat or glasses, so a mask like that may not be great for a goalkeeper.”
West Ham are 2-0 up on aggregate heading into the second leg against the Cypriot side as they look to book their place in the Conference League quarter-finals.
With Manchester City in FA Cup action this weekend, Moyes’ side are not scheduled to play another Premier League fixture until after the March international break, with relegation rivals Southampton visiting the London Stadium on Sunday, April 2.
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