West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has commented on the extent of Andriy Yarmolenko’s injury and suggested that it is “one of the worst you can have” according to Football.London.
The 29-year-old arrived at the London Stadium last summer. He started of the season in promising form and has scored two Premier League goals this season from nine appearances.
However, the £18 million summer signing from Borussia Dortmund suffered an achilles injury while playing against Tottenham back in October and he has not appeared since. There were hopes that Yarmolenko could be set to return for the Hammers before the end of this season.
However, it now appears that Pellegrini does not want to risk the player. The Ukraine international will likely get the pre-season to recuperate and return fully next season.
West Ham will be aiming for nothing less than a strong finish on the top half of the standings next season and possibly even Europa League football. They could have an exciting side if they have the likes of Samir Nasri, Yarmolenko, Manuel Lanzini and Jack Wilshere all at full fitness.
One area which Pellegrini will need to bolster this summer is the striker department. Doubts hinge over the futures of Javier Hernandez, Andy Carroll and Marko Arnautovic. Carroll has likely played his last game for the club and with his contract expiring this summer, he will likely be released.
Hernandez is not exactly a prolific scorer while Arnautovic has lost the trust of many Hammers fans after he pushed to leave the club for China in January.