Recent updates on the injury to Ghana’s Andrew Ayew suggest that the West Ham United winger may return to action by the end of this month, which is a great deal sooner than originally expected.
The new West Ham signing suffered an injury in his first Premier League outing for the club in August, and he was forced to leave the pitch half an hour into West Ham’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea.
Scans revealed a thigh injury that doctors suggested would keep him away from the game until the end of the year, but now recent updates from within the club suggest that he may well be fit enough for a return to the pitch by the end of October, as he is responding well to treatment.
Ayew completed a club-record $27 million move to English Premier League side West Ham United from Swansea City on a three-year deal at the start of the season.
This eclipses the previous record of $19.7 million that the Hammers paid to Liverpool for attacker Andy Carroll.
The winger was expected to strengthen the London club’s attacking prospects, with 12 goals scored in his first EPL term last season, but unfortunately the 26-year-old has not been able to produce his usual best after the early injury setback.
According to West Ham co-owner David Gold, Ayew could make a comeback within the next three weeks.
“Carroll and Cresswell could be available for the Palace game and Ayew the week after,” Gold mentioned in an injury update via his Twitter account.
The news will not only be a boost for the Hammers, but also the Ghana national team, where Ayew is one of the leaders and star performers within the squad.
The African qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup continues this month, with Ghana facing the Cranes of Uganda on October 7 in their opening fixture of the third round of qualifying.
Ayew will definitely miss that match, but could well be available for their next match away in qualifying against Egypt on November 13.
The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon is another reason why Ayew’s early return is important for his country.
Ghana is often among the favourites to do well at the competition, and the winger often features as an important player within the talented national squad.
Ayew has played for the Black Stars since 2007, amassing 67 caps and scoring 11 goals for his country.
The recent injury update is good news in terms of his participation at the tournament, which begins on January 14.
If he makes the now expected return to the pitch by the end of the month, he will have plenty of time to build his fitness and find form ahead of the showpiece event, though West Ham may be fairly frustrated to lose him soon after his return to full fitness.
