West Ham are facing a crisis up front after confirming Jarrod Bowen suffered a serious injury during their heavy 5-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
The 28-year-old was substituted on the hour mark at the London Stadium after picking up an injury following a challenge from Alexis Mac Allister.
The England international appeared to be in some discomfort and head coach Julen Lopetegui said that the club's medical staff would assess the damage done to their star man.
"I do not know exactly. We will have to assess him and we will know in the coming days," Lopetegui said after the game.
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However, it appears that the injury is worse than first thought and West Ham are now facing several weeks without their top goalscorer after it was revealed he suffered a fractured foot.
The east London outfit released a statement on New Year's Eve to reveal the extent of Bowen's injury, which will rule him out going into 2025.
It read: "West Ham United can confirm Jarrod Bowen sustained a fractured foot injury in Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool.
"The injury to his left foot, picked up in the first half at London Stadium, will sideline the Hammers captain heading into the New Year."
Bowen has started all 19 of West Ham's Premier League matches this season, scoring five goals and registering four assists. Losing their captain will come as a bitter blow for Lopetegui, who is fighting to save his job after another humiliating home defeat.
He joins Michail Antonio in the physio room after the 34-year-old was discharged from hospital following his frightening car crash that left him with a broken leg and requiring surgery.
Antonio is not expected to be available again this season as the Jamaica international begins the long road to recovery. And with Bowen out, it means Lopetegui has been left with just one fit striker.
The Spaniard only has one centre forward available, £27million misfit Niclas Fullkrug, who has scored only one goal for the Hammers since his big-money move from Borussia Dortmund.
Only last week, Lopetegui confirmed he has sat down for talks with owner David Sullivan to discuss potential signings in the January transfer window.
It is understood that the Hammers want to sign a striker, although much could depend on whether Lopetegui is still in the dugout.
"The talks I have with David I am not going to tell you, but we talk a lot about the team, about the squad and about the next challenge," he said.
"There is no more space in my mind now, only this. The only truth I believe is to be focused on the next match. After, we will see what happens."
