West Ham striker Diafra Sakho ruled out of Everton clash with ruptured thigh

Diafra Sakho will miss West Ham's clash with Everton

WEST HAM have suffered an injury blow to striker Diafra Sakho.

 

The striker suffered a thigh tear training before the Hammers’ 2-0 defeat at Watford, and Slaven Bilic has ruled out the Senegalese star for this Saturday’s home game with Everton.

Bilic said: “Unfortunately it is a small tear, a rupture in his thigh. The prognosis is he will be back for the game after in break. It is a set-back as he's a very important player to us.

“He dictates the rhythm of the game a lot with his pace, quality and determination and it’s a blow for sure. But it’s not a major set-back.”

However Bilic has been handed a boost with former Barcelona midfielder Alex Song’s return to training after an ankle operation over the summer.

 

Alex Song has returned to training

“Alex started training before Watford and he’s been with us for one week now,” Bilic added. 

“He’s ok, there’s no problem whatsoever and now a matter of fitness and match fitness. 

“We have a friendly game now on Wednesday [against Charlton] and hopefully he’s going to be fit soon.”

Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna return to the squad after injuries to boost the Hammers’ defence, with James Collins out suspended following his red card in the Hornets defeat.