Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that he is seeking a temporary right back - with a nightmare run of seven December fixtures to follow.
The Hammers boss has been left with just one fit right back in Pablo Zabaleta following the recent injury to Ryan Fredericks - an injury that is likely to keep the former Fulham man sidelined until the new year.Embed from Getty Images
And with seven games to follow in 29 December days, Pellegrini admits that the programme will prove be too much for the 33-year-old Argentinian veteran. "Unfortunately we have just one right full-back," Pellegrini told the media on Thursday.
"It's impossible for Pablo, at his age, to play seven games during December, so we need to see what we are going to do in that position. That’s why we bought Fredericks, to play some games, so being without Ryan is a very serious thing.
"First, we have to play at Newcastle, then we will think about what we are going to do. We are working during the week with different players but we need someone to replace Pablo because, I repeat, he cannot play seven games in December."
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One option for Pellegrini would be to move one of the first team's right-footed central defenders into full back. Alternatively Angelo Ogbonna has experience of playing at full back - albeit on the opposite side - should he wish to retain the current team shape.
Meanwhile the highly-rated Under 23 defender Ben Johnson, who only signed his first professional deal in January 2018 could also be promoted to the senior squad as cover.
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