OPINION
West Ham have reportedly been dealt a huge blow with midfielder Jack Wilshere set to undergo surgery on an ankle injury this week.
As reported by Hammers insider site Claret and Hugh, the 26-year-old is set for six weeks on the sidelines after suffering the injury in training a few days ago.
While a six-week lay-off is not too damaging for Wilshere and the club, his absence will leave a whole in the first-team squad with the midfielder having started every game before Sunday’s win over Everton.
That means there is a chance for someone to step up in his place, and the player who must now do that is fellow summer signing Carlos Sanchez.
The Colombia international has played four times for the club since his move from Fiorentina, but was left out against Everton on Sunday.
The 32-year-old has shown glimpses of what he can bring to the table for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, but he will need to convert those flashes into good displays in the coming weeks.
A midfield trio of Mark Noble, Pedro Obiang and Declan Rice was chosen against the Toffees, and on the whole they impressed. Rice and Obiang were the standouts, with Noble putting in a solid display alongside them.
However, the captain has been poor in every single other game he has played in this season, and that is worrying for Pellegrini.
Wilshere’s absence and Noble’s poor form means that there is a clear opportunity for Sanchez to step into the side, and he must now look to force his way into the reckoning.
The 6ft Colombia international [Transfermarkt] is a brilliant player on his day, and his extra pace allows him to get round the pitch faster than Noble does.
That extra zip in midfield should allow West Ham to continue improving in midfield, and will help them put such a poor start to the season behind them.
Wilshere’s absence is the perfect time for Sanchez to put forward his case, and the 32-year-old must do so in the coming days to convince Pellegrini to hand him a regular starting role.