West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic has revealed he is playing with a knee injury.

The Austrian international had to be substituted against Everton after picking up the issue during the game. He subsequently missed the 0-0 draw against Chelsea before returning for the 3-1 victory over Manchester United.

Speaking about the problem, Arnautovic said it was something that needs to be managed carefully:

“The knee is not the best but I am fit and I can play. I’m not training a lot at West Ham to try and my knee calm. It is going to take some time as I have some inflammation in my bone but I am always ready to play on the weekend.

“After a game, I need some rest for about two or three days. By the middle of the week, I am training normally with the team, training in full. And on the weekend I can play, that is the most important thing. Obviously, you can’t do anything on this bone bruise.”

The Hammers will want the 29-year-old back to full fitness as soon as possible. He has scored four goals in seven games so far this season and is the club’s top goalscorer.

West Ham fans will be hoping that Arnautovic doesn’t aggravate the injury any further during the international break. His Austria side face Northern Ireland in the UEFA Nations League on Friday evening before playing a friendly versus Denmark on Tuesday night.

The club will no doubt ask for the forward to be rested for the game against the Danes next week, ahead of the Hammers’ London derby clash with Tottenham.