West Ham are facing a defensive injury crisis ahead of their Europa League semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt after Issa Diop was ruled out for up to eight weeks with ankle ligament damage.
Diop suffered the injury in the final stages of Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley and West Ham fear he could miss the rest of the season. It leaves Craig Dawson as West Ham’s only fit senior centre-back.
There are also fears that Kurt Zouma will not play again this season due to an ankle injury, while Angelo Ogbonna has been ruled out until the summer as he continues his recovery from knee surgery.
The injury to Diop is another severe blow to West Ham as they prepare for their first European semi-final since 1976.
The Hammers host Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their semi-final at the London Stadium next Thursday. Before then, they are away at rivals Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.
David Moyes has considered playing Declan Rice as a centre-back when he has been short in defence this season but is reluctant to move the England international out of midfield.
Another option would be to switch to a back three, where full-back Ben Johnson has played once this season. Moyes could also promote Aji Alese from the West Ham academy.
