West Ham defender Jose Fonte has been sidelined for almost two months after suffering a calf injury.
West Ham United defender Jose Fonte has posted an unusual way of getting over his calf injury on his Instagram story, using acupuncture and a technique called cupping.
The 33-year-old centre-back, who was signed from Southampton in January 2017 for around £8million, has been on the sidelines since October 28 after suffering the muscle problem in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.
Cupping, which is often used by Olympic athletes, is combined with acupuncture in an attempt to loosen muscles and encourage blood flow to the specified area, quickening recovery.
Fonte showed fans in two short videos that he was undergoing the alternative treatment, as he approaches the two-month mark on the sidelines with the muscle problem. He posted the videos along with the caption “wake up that deep muscle”.
Fonte has been criticised over his form since his move to east London, failing to stem the flow of goals at the back which was one of the main factors in Slaven Bilic’s sacking back in November.
The Euro 2016 winner with Portugal has now missed eight Premier League matches and he is expected to remain sidelined for Saturday’s clash against Newcastle United at the London Stadium.
Three points for the Hammers against Rafa Benitez’s struggling Newcastle side will see them climb into 12th place, if Southampton, Brighton and Crystal Palace all slip up.
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