David Moyes’ preparations for his first match in charge of West Ham United have taken a hit with the news that Javier Hernandez is likely to miss Sunday’s clash against Watford through injury, according to The Times.
The striker has had scans on a suspected hamstring problem after being substituted during Mexico’s 3-3 draw with Belgium on Friday.
He withdrew from his national team’s squad before Monday night’s 1-0 win over Poland in Gdansk.
Since signing from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, Hernandez has scored four goals for a struggling Hammers side who have managed only 11 overall in the Premier League.
Getting the best out of the 29-year-old is likely to be key to the club climbing the table following the sacking of Slaven Bilic last week.
The Croatian’s replacement, Moyes, has worked with Hernandez before when the pair were at Manchester United, although Mexico’s all-time leading scorer started just five of the Scot’s 34 league matches in charge of the Red Devils.
The status of their relationship at present remains unclear but the ex-Sunderland boss will doubtless be leaning on the poacher to provide the goals to lift them from their current predicament.
After the encounter with the Hornets on Sunday, West Ham host Leicester City before travelling to Moyes’ former employers Everton to round off their November fixtures.