West Ham United midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate has delivered a defiant message to supporters after surgery on a season-ending injury.
West Ham United’s Manuel Lanzini celebrates his match-winning goal against Spurs
Following the 1-0 victory over fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Friday night the Hammers find themselves mathematically safe from relegation with two games to go.
Therefore the East Londoners were in a position to let influential midfielder Kouyate miss this Sunday’s home game against Liverpool and the season finale at Burnley so he could have wrist surgery.
The Senegalese powerhouse has sported a cast on his right wrist for most of the season as he played through the pain to help Slaven Bilic navigate a tricky campaign.
While Kouyate is sure to be missed as West Ham try to finish the season on a high in and around midtable, he has reassured supporters he will use the injury as motivation to come back even stronger.
“It’s never easy and never over,” Kouyate posted on Twitter.
Cheikhou Kouyate
“It will be a fight renewed each morning. The pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow.”
Kouyate has been instrumental for the Hammers since joining for a bargain £7million from Anderlecht three years ago.
A fans’ favourite, his tireless displays in a variety of positions have been invaluable during rocky times.
Kouyate has been wearing a cast for most of the season
It is no coincidence, though, that West Ham’s results have picked up since Kouyate has moved back to his favoured position in central midfield with two wins and three draws from their last five games.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
