West Ham labored to a goalless draw against West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, but the result was enough to take them away from the relegation zone on goal difference.
Hammers centre-back James Collins was replaced minutes to the hour mark after collapsing on the ball, having suffered a knock during the first half that had appeared to likely force him out.
Reports claim the 34-year-old Welshman picked up a damage to his ankle ligament, and could miss at least 2 weeks of action.
This definitely comes at a bad time for a West Ham defence that has managed to keep 2 successive clean sheets having conceded 10 goals in its first 3 league games.
Collins has fitted in well into the 3-man defence, but will now, very likely, miss out on an important clash, with Tottenham being the Hammers next league game.
While Angelo Ogbonna remains a quality backup, his defending with 3 at the back remains suspect.
A scan on Monday will determine for how long Collins will sit out of action, but it’s not a development manager Slaven Bilic would have wanted, and can only hope the veteran defender returns to full fitness very soon.
