Premier League side West Ham United have confirmed that striker Enner Valencia will be sidelined for about ten to 12 weeks with a leg injury.
The 25-year-old put the Hammers in the lead, but was stretchered off during the 2-2 draw against Astra Giurgiu in a Europa League qualifying round match.
The club said on Friday that the damage to Valencia's right knee and right ankle was significant and refused to put a time frame on his suspected return date.
However, the club have now confirmed that after consultation with the club's head of medical and sports science Stijn Vandenbroucke, it has been confirmed that the striker could be out for about three months, even if he does not require surgery.
“Enner visited the consultant on Monday morning, when we discussed the results of the scans he underwent on the injury last Friday”, Vandenbroucke said via his club's official website.
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“The outcome is that there is now a very small chance that he will need an operation and that we instead hope to treat the injury to his fibula using conservative treatment, which we hope to start in three weeks.
“We will know for sure whether or not Enner will need an operation next week, but if everything goes to plan we hope that he will be available for selection again within ten to 12 weeks.
“Enner will spend the next three weeks in a walking boot and using crutches, after which we will start his rehabilitation.”
The Ecuadorian spent Monday at the Spire Roding Hospital, where he along with his team-mates underwent their pre-season screening. He scored four goals in 32 Premier League games for the Hammers last season.
