West Ham United have been dealt a major blow just days before the start of the new Premier League season with the news Enner Valencia will be sidelined through injury.

The Ecuadorian sustained what appeared to be a serious injury to his right knee and ankle during Thursday’s UEFA Europa League third qualifying round first leg tie against Romanian club FC Astra Giurgiu.

He visited a specialist consultant this morning to gain an accurate diagnosis, afterwards announcing that he would not require surgery. This news is a bit of a boost to the Hammers, who were readying themselves for an extended period without the forward.

He will however face ten to 12 weeks on the sidelines.

“Enner visited the consultant on Monday morning, when we discussed the results of the scans he underwent on the injury last Friday,” stated the club’s head of medical and sports science Stijn Vandenbroucke.

“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.”