Our worst fears were confirmed today when it was announced Diafra Sakho is expected to be out for around two months after picking up a muscle injury against West Brom on Sunday.

It means we’re now three key players down for long periods of time already, and such an injury crisis is threatening to derail what has potential to be a memorable final season at the Boleyn Ground.

So Slaven Bilic needs to rethink the way he does things moving forward, but he’ll also have to have one eye on the January transfer window.

He’ll no doubt be considering a couple of signings in order to soften the blow of losing such key players, should we suffer a repeat in the second half of the campaign.

But who should he sign? Although Payet’s absence is damaging, we’ve still got the players behind him to stand in during his time on the sidelines.

But Sakho’s injury is a different problem altogether, and Bilic will have to consider signing a striker once the window re-opens on January 1.

And here are three strikers he could potentially turn to…

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Michail Antonio

 

Michail Antonio has his chance to shine now.

Although predominantly a winger, he does possess very similar traits to Sakho. He can finish, can hold the ball up, is quick – it all points to Antonio’s big chance to prove his £7m transfer fee.

Bilic hasn’t given him a chance – two appearances off the bench – but he should now consider handing Antonio a more important role in the side.

There is no harm in sticking him up front and seeing what he’s capable of. Starting with Man United away next week – they won’t know what to make of him.
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Simone Zaza – Juventus

So the player we were supposedly very close to signing in the summer has admitted he won’t rule out a move to the Premier League in January.

London24 today quoted his agent as saying: “Now we’re about to enter the January transfer market.

“We haven’t had any kind of contact yet from any club, but it’s obvious that it could happen with me or the club because of his performances. ”

The player isn’t on the market and there are still many games left to play.”

So although he’s not on the market, things could change should someone come in for him.

In other words, he is on the market and he’s telling clubs just that by saying something could change.

Zaza is a similar player to Sakho and would provide the kind of threat we’re looking for up front in Bilic’s preferred style of play.

This would be mine (and I’m sure many other fans) first choice striker in January.
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Emmanuel Adebayor

Adebayor obviously would’t be a first choice signing by any means, but you could see why Bilic might choose to bring him in to the club on a short term contract.

As things stand there haven’t been any concrete reports suggesting we’re interesting in signing him, but it wouldn’t be the worst decision in the world.

He’d be cheap, wage demands aside, and we all know he poses a very good goal threat.

His Premier League experience will be a huge bonus and you could see him being a much more effective back up to Sakho than Jelavic.
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