Manuel Pellegrini is hopeful that Marko Arnautovic will recover from a knock in time to play for West Ham United against Chelsea this weekend.
The Austrian, who bagged his third league goal of the season in the 3-1 win at Goodison Park on Sunday, is carrying a knee issue.
The manager revealed that the West Ham No7 is undergoing treatment and with the view to possibly playing some role at London Stadium against the Blues.
“Marko finished with a problem behind his knee against Everton,” Pellegrini said. “He’s having some treatment and we will see if he can be fit for Sunday.
I think Marko played very well against Everton and we hope he will have recovered for the next game.
Marko Arnautovic
“I think Marko played very well against Everton and we hope he will have recovered for the next game.”
The Hammers boss also offered updates on Chicharito and Jack Wilshere. The striker has been unwell, with Pellegrini admitting the Mexican is still battling a virus, while offering more details on Wilshere’s surgery.
Pellegrini continued: “Lanzini, Reid and Carroll are long-term. Javier Hernandez is still sick with a virus and Jack Wilshere has the problem with his ankle.
“The doctor can say more than me about what has happened with Jack. We will see how many weeks it takes him to recover.”
With Wilshere unavailable, Declan Rice was included in the starting XI against Everton on Sunday, and Pellegrini has taken the chance to praise the 19-year-old’s performance.
The manager was pleased to see Rice and Pedro Obiang take their opportunity in the team, and is aware that his whole squad will be vital throughout the entire campaign.
“I think always the players, when they have the opportunity to play, that it’s important that they take the chance when they get it.
“Declan did very well last time out, as did Pedro Obiang. I repeat again that we have a squad and we need all the players at different moments in the season. You never know which will be fit from one game to another, but you know you will the maximum availability from those players.”