West Ham Signing Faces Race Against Time After Pre-Season Injury Setback
West Ham winger Keiber Lamadrid is facing a battle to be fit for the start of the Championship campaign after picking up a knee injury during pre-season.
The 22-year-old suffered the knock in last weekend’s 1-1 friendly draw against German side FC Magdeburg, forcing him off in the 72nd minute. Reports suggest Lamadrid is expected to spend between two and three weeks on the sidelines as he recovers.
The injury leaves his availability for West Ham’s Championship opener against Burnley at Turf Moor on August 16 in serious doubt. He has already been ruled out of this weekend’s Carabao Cup first-round clash with Portsmouth.
The setback comes at an unfortunate time for Lamadrid, who has worked tirelessly to improve his fitness since arriving in English football earlier this year. After spending much of last season with West Ham’s Under-21 side, the Venezuelan international earned a place in Nuno Espirito Santo’s senior squad ahead of the new campaign.
West Ham made Lamadrid’s stay permanent in June after activating a £1 million purchase option in his loan agreement with Venezuelan club Deportivo La Guaira. The winger subsequently signed a five-year contract, with the club viewing him as part of their plans to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
However, his progress has now been temporarily halted by injury, and West Ham will be hoping he can return quickly as they prepare for life in the Championship.
