West Ham United fans had a real scare when they beat Gillingham in the FA Cup third round. The Hammers may have brushed the League One team aside, claiming a 2-0 win at Priestfield Stadium, but they faced the danger of losing one of the key men to a long injury.
That man was Ryan Fredericks, who on the face of things doesn’t look like a massive player who would be seriously be missed. However, the 27-year-old right-back is one of two right-backs at the club, and the second one is Pablo Zabaleta, whose best days are long behind him at the age of 34.
The Irons were facing a real dilemma had the hamstring injury to Fredericks and they may have even been forced into signing a right-back this month had the layoff been a long one, but the update has come in and now the fans can breathe a huge sigh of relief.
The news came through a couple of days back, but the update is that Fredericks’ injury is nothing more than a strain, meaning that surgery won’t be required and the fans will only have to do without the speedster for around a month’s time (whufc.com).
This news couldn’t be much better. The Irons have got an awful lot of time for Fredericks, he’s clearly a player that will be crucial for David Moyes if the future of the Hammers under the Scot lies with a three at the back system and wing-backs, as his pace down the right and ability to get up and down will be crucial.
Will this transfer window be a big one?
Yes
No
Ultimately, Zabaleta will be able to get Moyes and co past this speedbump until Fredericks is back assuming there are no setbacks, and that means the Hammers won’t have to dip into the market as they await the return of the electric defender.
