Zouma faces months out with hamstring injury

West Ham United have suffered a major blow to their hopes of securing Champions League football this season after news emerged confirming a mid to long-term injury to Kurt Zouma.

The defender suffered hamstring tendon damage in the 3-2 win at home against Chelsea on Saturday before having to be replaced by Arthur Masuaku.

Zouma, 27, has been a revelation at the back for David Moyes’ side since his £30million move to the east Londoners in the summer.

But Moyes would undoubtedly have been left gutted when the centre-back limped off during the victory over his former club, where he won a Champions League title last season.

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West Ham confirmed the injury in a statement on Tuesday morning, saying: “A scan on Monday revealed the damage and the 27-year-old French international defender has already started his recovery programme at Rush Green under the supervision of the medical team.”

While there is no time-scale on the injury, the Frenchman is expected to miss several months of action.

It comes less than a month after the Hammers’ other starting central defender, Angelo Ogbonna, suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury in a win over Liverpool.

That leaves Moyes with just two central defenders in Craig Dawson and Issa Diop available as he looks to keep up his side’s brilliant performances this season.