West Ham have confirmed that right-back Ryan Fredericks has had surgery on a dislocated shoulder, and he is now expected to return to first-team action in around six weeks.
The 27-year-old picked up the injury in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City last week. Supporters on Twitter are disappointed by the fullback’s latest setback and have wished him a speedy recovery:
What a shame…..
— JParsons_IRONS (@IronsJparsons) 26 February 2020
Have a speedy recovery ⚒
— West Ham Somerset (@WestHam_SW) 26 February 2020
Another one made of glass.
— tdCOYI⚒️ (@td67coyi) 26 February 2020
Good luck for a speedy recovery. Lads been very unlucky since he joined us
— HammerKev (@TiggerWHU) 26 February 2020
Some are hoping that Jeremy Ngakia takes his opportunity during Fredericks’s absence:
Ngakia’s time
— West Ham Transfers (@westhamtransfer) 26 February 2020
Ngakia for six weeks ??????
— John Spencer (@Spencerjohn7) 26 February 2020
Get well soon Ryan, It's Ngakia's time to shine
— WHU #GSBout (@YeaAight_C) 26 February 2020
He ain’t budging Jeremy for me.
— Ross Gilbert (@Bilko13) 26 February 2020
It is a cruel blow for Fredericks who had only recently made his comeback from a hamstring injury that had kept him out for the best part of a month.
The defender has been the Hammers’ first choice at right-back this season, but if Ngakia does continue on his form from the Liverpool game and takes his chance while Fredericks is out, the former Fulham fullback may well have his work cut out to get back into the starting line up.
