Friday 31 July 2015 20:56, UK
West Ham's Enner Valencia could be facing a long spell on the sidelines after the club described the injury he sustained in a Europa League game this week as being "significant."
The Ecuador striker was stretchered off against Astra Giurgiu on Thursday after injuring his right knee and right ankle, and he will now see a specialist early next week.
Valencia was carried from the field in the 37th minute, not long after firing the Hammers into the lead at Upton Park.
The first leg ended 2-2 and manager Slaven Bilic expressed his concerns over the injury immediately following the game.
And now, less than 24 hours later, West Ham have released a statement on the injury saying: “Enner Valencia sustained what initially appears to be a significant injury to his right knee and right ankle during the third qualifying round first leg tie with Astra Giurgiu.
He will see a specialist consultant at a clinic in central London on Monday.
"He will see a specialist consultant at a clinic in central London on Monday morning and an update will be provided following that meeting.
"It is too early to put a timescale on how long Enner's recovery and rehabilitation period may be."
Valencia was appearing in his first Hammers game of pre-season having returned from representing his country in the Copa America tournament.
