Ricardo Vaz Te has is facing up to 12 weeks on the sidelines after having keyhole surgery on the dislocated shoulder he suffered in the 3-1 home loss to Arsenal earlier this month.
The Hammers’ play-off final hero underwent keyhole surgery on Monday evening after the club’s medical staff decided it was the best option to ensure the forward wouldn’t have any problems in the future.
Sam Allardyce told the official website: “First and foremost Andy Rolls and his medical team have researched the best possible treatment and the quickest recovery, which was keyhole surgery.
“There would have been a slightly quicker option to get him back but we would have been unsure on the stability of the shoulder and it could have been more susceptible to dislocate again.
“We think we’ve chosen the best option to strengthen the shoulder and get him back as quickly as we can.”
Allardyce will now choose between the likes of Modibo Maiga, Yossi Benayoun, Matty Taylor, Gary O’Neil and youngster Robert Hall to see who is best placed to replace the crocked winger.
“We’ve got some good players ready to step up in place. Matt Taylor has been there and there are others in the squad that haven’t quite played as much such as Gary O’Neil,” Allardyce added.
“Whichever option we pick it’s up to them to step up to the mark. They need to provide the attacking opportunities that we need.”
Vaz Te has scored 13 goals in 27 appearances for the Hammers since signing from Barnsley in the January transfer window.
