West Ham striker Enner Valencia ruled out for 12 weeks with leg injury

West Ham striker Enner Valencia will be sidelined for up to 12 weeks with the leg injury he sustained in Europa League action last week.

The Ecuador international damaged his right fibula after scoring in Thursday’s 2-2 draw against Astra Giurgiu in Europa League qualifying, but the club are hopeful he will not require surgery on the injury.

“We will know for sure whether or not Enner will need an operation next week, but if everything goes to plan we hope that he will be available for selection again within 10 to 12 weeks,” West Ham’s head of medical and sports science Stijn Vandenbroucke said.

“The outcome is that there is now a very small chance that he will need an operation and that we instead hope to treat the injury to his fibula using conservative treatment, which we hope to start in three weeks.

The Hammers could sign Atletico Madrid forward Raul Jimenez as cover for the 25-year-old, who scored four goals in 32 Premier League outings last season.

Andy Carroll is not expected to return from a serious knee injury until October, leaving Diafra Sakho and Modibo Maiga as the only fit forwards at Upton Park.

Credit: Setanta Sport