LUKASZ FABIANSKI could be out for the rest of the season after fracturing a cheekbone and eye-socket.
The West Ham shot-stopper, 37, received a knee to the head from Nottingham Forest’s Felipe during a Premier League clash at the London Stadium last Saturday.
The Polish international was subbed off on 69 minutes, sporting a horribly swollen left eye, and was replaced by Frenchman Alphonse Areola.
Ahead of their FA Cup fifth-round trip to Manchester United on Wednesday night, West Ham boss David Moyes revealed that his No1 keeper had suffered major damage to his face.
At present, there is no timescale on his return to the first team, which is battling Prem relegation while still being involved in two cup competitions.
Club medics have yet to decide if he should undergo an operation or let it heal naturally.
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Fabianski, who used to play for Arsenal and Swansea City, signed a contract extension in July 2022 to stay in East London for one more year.
Though there is the option to extend his new deal by a further year, Fabianski is technically out of contract at the end of the current season and his involvement against Forest could have been his last appearance for the club.
Moyes said: “We have a squad available and ready to go for United but we have a few injuries.
“Lukasz Fabianski has got a fractured cheekbone and an eye-socket.
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“We don’t have everything correct as far as what we are going to do yet.
“I’m waiting, I couldn’t give you an answer.
“We’ve had the surgeons report back but I think there’s a decision to make as to whether it’s surgery or natural healing. I don’t know the time scale yet either.
“It is huge for us and obviously huge for the goalkeeper as well. Especially the stage of the career for him as well.”
Czech defender Vladimir Coufal will miss the visit to Old Trafford with a heel injury while striker Danny Ings – who scored twice in the 4-0 win over Forest – is cup-tied having played in the third round of the competition for Aston Villa.
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