'We will miss him' - Huge injury blow confirmed for key Leeds United relegation rivals
West Ham welcome Leeds United to the London Stadium for an FA Cup quarter-final in three weeks.
Leeds United’s relegation rivals West Ham will be without Crysencio Summerville for at least one game following confirmation of an injury.
Summerville picked up the injury during West Ham’s penalty-shootout victory over Brentford last weekend. The former Leeds man was initially rested before his half-time introduction and played on after suffering the issue, although he didn’t take a spot-kick.
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo admitted after that win the situation surrounding Summerville was ‘concerning’ and since then, reports emerged of a calf injury. It remains to be seen how severe the issue is, with conflicting suggestions.
Espirito Santo provided an update on Thursday, with Summerville ruled out for Saturday’s Premier League game at home to Manchester City. The Hammers boss could also not reveal a potential return date but did not suggest a particularly long-term injury.
“We have Summerville that is out,” Espirito Santo confirmed. “We will assess him day by day and see how he goes but he’s not available for the game. We’re going to miss him as he’s an important player for us, but we will miss him for this game, for sure.”
Pressed on the nature of the injury, he added: “It’s a calf issue. It can happen at any moment, but when he came in he was a big help for the team. He really did well as he has done many, many times for us in recent weeks. He was able to stay in the game in extra-time and to help the team.”
A big blow for Leeds United’s relegation rivals
Summerville’s absence for any length is a major blow for West Ham. The Dutch winger has scored seven goals in his last 11 appearances across all competitions, a run that has coincided with the East London outfit starting to pick up points in the relegation scrap.
After Saturday’s visit of Manchester City to the London Stadium, Summerville will have a full week to try and get fit before West Ham travel to Aston Villa. The former Leeds man was in line for a first ever Netherlands call-up during the March international break but will have to recover or face missing out.
Following that two-week break, West Ham host Leeds in the FA Cup quarter-finals at the start of April. The meeting will provide a chance for one side to head to Wembley but might also provide a boost or blow ahead of their Premier League final-weekend meeting.
That late-May clash has long been viewed as a potential relegation decider but Leeds will hope to have pulled towards safety by that point. Daniel Farke’s side are currently three points clear of the 18th-placed Hammers with a superior goal difference to boot.
Leeds also have a more favourable run of fixtures heading towards that final-day meeting, with Brentford, Wolves, Burnley and Brighton all due at Elland Road. The Whites might also fancy their chances at picking up points on the road against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.