West Ham United's Angelo Ogbonna ruled out for rest of season

West Ham's Angelo Ogbonna ruled out for rest of season

West Ham United manager David Moyes has confirmed that centre-back Angelo Ogbonna is set to miss the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The 33-year-old, who had started all 11 Premier League matches for the Hammers this season, was forced off in the 3-2 victory against Liverpool before the international break and he now requires surgery.

Speaking to the press ahead of West Ham's Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend, Moyes said: "We think surgery will take place over the next couple of days and that is really sad.

"[Ogbonna] has done a great job for us, he is a great boy, a great team player. He is someone we love having around and more importantly his performances have been excellent for us so it is a real sad moment for him and us.

"You look at [Virgil] van Dijk and people of that ilk and how long it takes for recovery. There is not a quick return from cruciates, there is a period which has to be taken for recovery time. So I would probably say yes it will be hard for Angelo to play again this season."

With summer signing Kurt Zouma seemingly the first-choice centre-back under Moyes, Craig Dawson and Issa Diop are now set to compete with each other for a place in the starting lineup in the absence of Ogbonna.

It has previously been reported that West Ham could sign a replacement for the Italian in the January transfer window, with Burnley duo James Tarkowski and Ben Mee, as well as Championship pair Dael Fry and Robert Dickie, being linked with a move to the London Stadium.

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