West Ham dealt ‘massive’ Vladimir Coufal blow by medical expert – pundit
Noel Whelan has claimed the injury to West Ham defender Vladimir Coufal will “undoubtedly” dent their chances of Champions League qualification.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 29-year-old’s absence will leave a “massive void” in the Hammers’ rearguard.
West Ham announced last Thursday (24 February) that Coufal has undergone a successful operation on a groin injury suffered during the 2-2 draw with Leicester last month (13 February).
Football Insider medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis, claimed the defender could be sidelined for five to six weeks (4 March).
That layoff would see Coufal miss both legs of their Europa League Round of 16 tie against Sevilla – which gets underway next week (10 March).
Whelan insisted the right-back’s absence would also dent their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League via the Premier League.
“He’s such an important player,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He’ll be missed so much in that West Ham side because he’s so consistent.
“He’s come up with goals and assists in the past, he’s intelligent defensively, and he fits right into that style of play brought by David Moyes – he works so hard.
“It’s difficult not to miss these types of players when you’re still fighting in two competitions, because there’s no option to rest or rotate.
“They’re fighting to qualify for the Champions League, let’s not forget – but this news will undoubtedly dent those hopes, it’s a massive void.”
West Ham sit just two points adrift of fourth-place Man United ahead of today’s meeting with Liverpool.
Coufal has supplied four assists in 24 appearances this term for the Hammers.
In other news, pundit tips West Ham to complete “bargain” deal for “next Jarrod Bowen”.