Stewart Downing added to West Ham’s woes today with the news that he could be out until after Christmas.
Downing suffered a deep cut to his ankle during the 4-1 defeat at Anfield and was taken to hospital, where doctors inserted 12 stitches into the wound.
Downing played on following the injury, sustained in a challenge by defender Jon Flanagan that was similar to that by Kevin Nolan on Jordan Henderson which earned the captain a red card.
It was only after the ankle was examined at half-time that the severity of the injury was revealed. The cut was so deep that his Achilles tendon was exposed.
Ravel Morrison, suspended for the trip to Liverpool, is set to replace Nolan for next weekend’s match against Sunderland while Joe Cole is likely to come in for Downing.
