West Ham defender Kurt Zouma could be back from injury and back to fitness in as little as two weeks.
According to the Sun, the French centre-back is ahead of schedule to return from a long-term injury, and Zouma’s return could provide West Ham with some financial respite in the January transfer window.
David Moyes’ side have been linked with a centre-back for most of the window. However, the early return of Zouma could shelve plans to sign a defender this month, which would allow the Hammers to sign a player in a more urgent position.
The 27-year-old, who Jurgen Klopp lauded as ‘fantastic’, joined West Ham in the summer from Chelsea, and Zouma immediately established himself as one of the most important players in the Irons’ XI, with the former Saint-Etienne player making 14 appearances before suffering a hamstring injury.
Indeed, Zouma’s return could be massive for West Ham, with the east London side keeping just one clean sheet in the Premier League since the defender’s injury blow in early December.
Moreover, saving money in the transfer window could be key for the Hammers, who can now target an attacker to challenge Michail Antonio in the second half of the season.
West Ham have to prioritise a striker after Zouma injury boost
With the Irons fifth in the Premier League table and competing in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League, Zouma’s fitness will be paramount to West Ham’s success. However, the Irons now have a reason to go after a striker with the defender close to fitness.
Antonio has impressed in patches this season. However, the former Nottingham Forest star needs competition. And Zouma’s return from injury could push Moyes to make the signing needed to make this happen.
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