Premiership strugglers West Ham have suffered a fresh blow to their survival hopes with the news that midfielder Lee Bowyer is expected to be out for six weeks after dislocating his shoulder.
The 29-year-old picked up the injury early in the first half of the Hammers’ 6-0 defeat to Reading on New Years Day, after falling awkwardly under a challenge.
“Lee sustained a dislocation to the right shoulder and he wil be in a brace for around three weeks,” Hammers physio Steve Allen told the club website.
“We’re probably looking at a spell of six weeks before he’s fit to play.”
Bowyer joined West Ham from Newcastle in June 2006 and has made 17 appearances for the club so far this season.