West ham injury crisis worsens

By Simon Hayes on April 3, 2008 9:00 AM |

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THE SEASON can’t end soon enough for Alan Curbishley and his injury-ravaged West Ham squad.

Saturday’s (March 29) 2-1 defeat at Sunderland – courtesy of ex-Charlton star Andy Reid’s last-minute volley – was of less consequence than the loss of more players to the treatment table.

George McCartney and Freddie Ljungberg both picked up hamstring injuries, while Carlton Cole (sore foot) and John Pantsil (concussion) also suffered knocks.

It leaves Curbishley short of options with just six games of the season left to play. Matty Etherington and Julien Faubert were ruled out for the rest of the campaign last week and the Hammers travelled to Sunderland with just 17 fit players.

Curbishley said: “We are completely stretched to the limit now. As I have said all season, it has
probably made us stronger but these boys have played every game week in, week out or they are returning from injury and having to get fit in the first team.

“It has been very difficult for us, they have done fantastically well but it looked like we were a little bit tired.”
One player who has so far managed to ride out the injury storm is centre-back Anton Ferdinand, but he echoed Curbishley’s sentiments when he spoke to whutv.com.

“[The injuries] sum up the season but we have just got to get on with it,” he said. “We are professionals and that is what we have got to do. We can’t blame injuries all the time. We just have to get on with it.

“It doesn’t help but we have to get back on the training pitch and make sure that we do work hard so that those people that do come off the bench know what’s going on.”

At least West Ham have a few extra days to recover with their next opponents, Portsmouth, in FA Cup semi-final action this weekend.

Pompey head to Upton Park next Tuesday (April 8), and Harry Redknapp’s team will be looking to strengthen their UEFA Cup ambitions with a win.

It could be a tricky game for the Hammers with old boys Jermain Defoe, currently on a hot scoring streak, Glen Johnson and David James all likely to line up for the south coast club.

One player who might be fit to turn out in the claret and blue is Freddie Sears. The 18-year-old striker, already a cult hero on the terraces after his goalscoring debut against Blackburn, was ruled out of the Sunderland game with a slight niggle but should be ready to face Pompey.

Another goal from the teenage sensation would certainly be just the tonic West Ham, and their supporters, desperately need.

simon.hayes@wharf.co.uk