Pellegrini: Chicharito, Balbuena doubts vs Southampton

As seemingly always the case with West Ham United since the start of the Slaven Bilic era, injuries issues with the club has been a constant conundrum. And once again, during this holiday period, the Hammers just cannot ever shake off their ailments.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini has stated that Javier Hernandez and Fabian Balbuena are injury doubts ahead of the fixture against Southampton at St.Mary’s Park. And the Chilean tactician has admitted that a new wave of injuries is the latest trend in an annoying, unfortunate characteristic of West Ham in the last several seasons.

“We need now to see about the other two players, Chicharito and Balbuena,” Pellegrini said. “So that is a big problem but we need to trust the squad and try to make a good rotation.”

“Javier had a kick in his back during the week. He couldn’t work. Now in this game (against Watford) he had the same problem with some strain in his hamstring.”

The injury to Hernandez could likely see Andy Carroll return fully to the fowl with a start, but we shall see!