Ben Dinnery

Wed 7 December 2022 16:58, UK

There are “question marks” over West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd’s involvement in Morocco’s World Cup quarter-final with Portugal on Saturday (10 December).

That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

Aguerd was forced off during his country’s historic penalty shootout victory over Spain in the round of 16 on Tuesday (6 December).

He was in tears on the bench but was able to leave the pitch without the aid of a stretcher.

“I wouldn’t read too much into the fact that he was able to go off by himself,” Dinnery told Football Insider‘s Connor Whitley.

“We talk about the heat of the battle, the adrenaline and all of those Moroccan players had given their all to take Spain to a penalty shoot-out so they were all pretty gone in terms of their exertions.

“I wouldn’t read too much into the initial reaction of the player. We saw that pre-tournament with the likes of Raphael Varane and Richarlison.

“You hope, because of the intensity of the game and the amount of hard work the Morocco defence put in that it’s more fatigue related.

“The worry is that it’s a quick turnaround so if it’s even a minor muscular problem there are question marks over his availability for the remaining games

“This is a unique environment. In these big tournaments, risks are taken but they have to be the right risks and players have to be managed very carefully.

“West Ham will be in communication with the national team and the backroom staff to understand and have a better picture.

“The problem could evolve over the next 24 to 48 hours when those assessments and evaluations take place. No doubt there could be an MRI scan and that will give us a better understanding of what’s happening to whether Ageurd could be available for that quarter-final tie.”

In other news, Kieran Maguire has tipped an “auction” for West Ham as the “deal of the century” is cited.