Sky Sports News are reporting that Cheikhou Kouyate will not feature for West Ham United again this season.
West Ham mathematically confirmed their survival in emphatic style this weekend, beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at the London Stadium to move clear of the drop zone.
Now that the Hammers’ safety is confirmed, Cheikhou Kouyate will undergo surgery on a longstanding wrist injury.
Kouyate has been playing all season with a wrist protector worn during the games.
The influential central midfielder has played 36 games in all competitions for the Hammers this season with this problem and will now finally get it sorted.
However, this makes the Senegal international unavailable for the final two games – against Liverpool and Burnley.
In his absence, we might see more playing time handed to Havard Nordtveit, who is finally starting to showcase his talent in the middle of the park.
Kouyate is a fans’ favourite at West Ham since joining in summer 2014.
The 27-year-old has played over 100 games for West Ham in the past three seasons and has a contract running until 2021.
West Ham fans will be hoping that the operation goes smoothly and that Kouyate will return for pre-season.