Ricardo Vaz Te suffered a dislocated shoulder in the Hammers’ 0-0 draw at Swansea City on Sunday and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The 27-year-old Portuguese striker fell awkwardly after clearing a corner in the first-half and was immediately replaced by Matt Jarvis as it emerged he suffered a similar injury to the one he picked up last year.
He was forced to spend three months on the sidelines last term after his shoulder required surgery and, although the club have refused to put a timeline on his absence, it looks likely that Vaz Te could be sidelined for a similar length of time.
Vaz Te’s injury is the latest blow to Sam Allardyce and his attempts to create an attacking force without Andy Carroll. Carlton Cole and Mladen Petric are both lacking in match fitness, with Mali striker Modibo Maiga is yet to find the net so far this season.
Vaz Te has made nine appearances in all competitions so far this season, scoring four goals.
