Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that West Ham United midfielder Jack Wilshere picked up a small groin problem after missing the 1-1 draw against Sheffield United on Saturday.
The Hammers’ boss claimed that it wasn’t a massive problem for the England international, but a similar injury to the one that forced Aaron Cresswell to miss the defeat against Everton.
Pellegrini admitted that the former Arsenal playmaker will continue to train as usual this week, and could return for West Ham in their game against Newcastle United.
“Jack had a small problem in his groin,” he said as quoted by Football.London.
“It’s not important but he was not 100 per cent. It was similar to what happened with Cresswell last week. If they are not 100 per cent I think it’s better for him not to take the risk with a muscle injury.
“But he will continue working with us in the next week without any problem.”
The £100,000-a-week playmaker [Spotrac] missed 30 games for the Hammers last season after undergoing surgery on his ankle [Source: Transfermarkt].
OPINION
The fact that it is only a small set back for Wilshere will be music to the ears of West Ham fans. Given that the England international has a poor history of injuries in his career, the worst immediately springs to mind when he is missing from the matchday squad, but that is the exact same reason why Pellegrini made the right decision to leave him out against Sheffield United. The 27-year-old has the ability to be a major boost for the Hammers, who are struggling to look convincing at this moment in time. Should Wilshere have a good week of training behind him, he will surely be in contention against Newcastle, after Pellegrini made five changes on Saturday. The Chilean is spot on with how he has been treating injuries so far this season, and it gives his players every chance of returning as quickly as possible, with Wilshere surely ready to launch himself into a week on intense training now.
