Lucas Neill will hopefully be back in action for the
majority of West Ham United's remaining matches this season
after a scan on his knee injury revealed only minor
damage.
The Australian defender endured a nightmare comeback against Watford on Saturday, suffering a recurrence of the ankle injury that had forced him off against the Hornets in our FA Cup tie just two weeks earlier, and also sustaining a knee ligament injury at the same time.
However, with Hammers facing only two matches in the next five weeks, the 28-year-old could still play a major part in our bid to avoid relegation from the Premiership this season.
Head Physiotherapist Steve Allen says: "Lucas landed awkwardly on his ankle but also injured his knee at the same time and that was the greater concern for us.
"He underwent an MRI scan on Monday afternoon, which revealed a grade one medial collateral ligament sprain - the least serious level of that particular injury.
"He is now undergoing intensive treatment with the medical staff and, although I wouldn't like to put a timescale on his recovery until we have gauged his response to that treatment, I am confident that he won't be sidelined for too long.
"We will review the situation again at the end of the week and should then have a clearer idea of when he is likely to return to first-team action."
Meanwhile, Neill's fellow new signing, Matthew Upson, is progressing well in his recovery from a calf muscle injury and is confident of being fit in time for our London derby clash at Charlton Athletic next week.
The Australian defender endured a nightmare comeback against Watford on Saturday, suffering a recurrence of the ankle injury that had forced him off against the Hornets in our FA Cup tie just two weeks earlier, and also sustaining a knee ligament injury at the same time.
However, with Hammers facing only two matches in the next five weeks, the 28-year-old could still play a major part in our bid to avoid relegation from the Premiership this season.
Head Physiotherapist Steve Allen says: "Lucas landed awkwardly on his ankle but also injured his knee at the same time and that was the greater concern for us.
"He underwent an MRI scan on Monday afternoon, which revealed a grade one medial collateral ligament sprain - the least serious level of that particular injury.
"He is now undergoing intensive treatment with the medical staff and, although I wouldn't like to put a timescale on his recovery until we have gauged his response to that treatment, I am confident that he won't be sidelined for too long.
"We will review the situation again at the end of the week and should then have a clearer idea of when he is likely to return to first-team action."
Meanwhile, Neill's fellow new signing, Matthew Upson, is progressing well in his recovery from a calf muscle injury and is confident of being fit in time for our London derby clash at Charlton Athletic next week.