West Ham striker Enner Valencia facing long injury lay-off after picking up 'significant' knee problem

The Hammers front man was stretchered off during the first half of their Europa League qualifier and boss Slaven Bilic was right to be concerned

                       Concern: Players surround Valencia after he picked up the injury


West Ham are waiting news on striker Enner Valencia, after he picked up a "significant" knee injury on Thursday night.

It comes as a further bitter blow for the Hammers, who had James Collins sent off before blowing a two-goal lead in the home leg of their Europa League qualifier against Romanian minnows Astra Giurgiu.

Ecuadorian front man Valencia was stretchered off prior to half-time in the clash, leaving manager Slaven Bilic fearing the worst.

The manager said after the game that he was worried it could force a long-term injury lay-off for Valencia - and he was right to be worried after the club released a statement on his health on Friday.

The club said in a statement on their website: "Enner Valencia sustained what initially appears to be a significant injury to his right knee and right ankle during Thursday's UEFA Europa League third qualifying round first leg tie with Astra Giurgiu.

Fear: Manager Bilic is concerned that West Ham might lose Valencia for a long period



"The Ecuador forward 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."

The match was Valencia's first for West Ham since returning from the Copa America competition.