West Ham can be pleased with their overall business during the summer transfer window, having successfully replaced Declan Rice and strengthened in other areas.
However, while a new full-back was always high on David Moyes’ list of targets, none arrived at the London Stadium before the September 1 deadline.
It means the Hammers are very light on both sides of their defence, relying on Emerson Palmieri and Vladimir Coufal to stay fit.
Unfortunately for Moyes, it appears as though Coufal is now a major injury doubt for next weekend’s visit of Manchester City after sustaining an injury while away with the Czech Republic.
Coufal played 90 minutes for the Czechs in their 1-1 draw with Albania last Thursday [7 September], but manager Jaroslav Silhavy later revealed the defender would play no part in the friendly against Hungary on Sunday [10 September].
So that proved, as Coufal was not part of the squad for the 1-1 draw at Puskas Arena
According to the Czech Republic FA, the West Ham player is “slightly injured” – whatever that means.
Given the Man City game is only five days away, there is a strong possibility that Coufal will play no part against the English and European champions.
That is bad news for Moyes, who has started the 31-year-old in all four of United matches this season. In fact, he is one of four outfield players to have played every minute for the Irons
A failure to bring in any cover leaves Moyes with Ben Johnson and Thilo Kehrer as the natural replacements for Coufal should he indeed be ruled out for the City game and possibly beyond.
West Ham’s strong start to the season has been built on a fairly settled XI, but it may well be that Moyes has to have a rethink when Premier League action resumes next weekend.
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