David Moyes says he is hoping Jarrod Bowen’s potential injury isn’t serious following the forward’s setback during West Ham United’s 2-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 27-year-old had to be substituted 54 minutes into the game and headed straight down the tunnel at Molineux. Left-back Aaron Cresswell came on as his replacement.
West Ham face a crucial week, with a Europa League quarter-final first leg against Bayer Leverkusen taking place on Thursday.
Moyes said on Bowen: “We have to hope he’s okay. You need all your top players at this stage of the season and Jarrod is one who’s been doing great for us. It looks like he’s had a knee into his hip, or his back. It’s not a twist or anything like that. He’s really stiff and I’ve had one or two of those myself and they don’t go away too quick.
“We need to hope it doesn’t linger. I asked Jarrod how he’s feeling and he said he feels sore. I’m just hoping it’s not too bad. Every week you need your big players to be ready, but we need him this week.”
GO DEEPER
‘Perfect’ Bowen sparks West Ham back into form
Bowen has scored 18 goals in all competitions for West Ham so far this season. The former Hull City man was named in Gareth Southgate’s most recent squad for England’s international friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
Bowen — who has been playing as a No 9 due to a number of injuries to West Ham’s forward line across the campaign — was a substitute in the defeat to Brazil before starting in the 2-2 draw with Belgium three days later.
James Ward-Prowse’s 84th-minute goal scored directly from a corner proved to be the winner after Lucas Paqueta had earlier cancelled out Pablo Sarabia’s 33rd-minute opener from the spot.
Wolves thought Max Kilman’s stoppage-time header had secured a last-gasp point but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review deemed Tawanda Chirewa to be interfering with play in front of West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
(Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
