Insider ExWHUemployee has revealed that West Ham United centre-back Craig Dawson is still struggling with an injury.
Up to this point in the new Premier League season, the defender has been unable to play a single minute of action as his side have fallen to consecutive defeats in their first two games.
No doubt, fans will be keen to see Dawson back in the team as soon as possible, with right-back Ben Johnson having to play in the middle of defence in his place.
However, while speaking on The West Ham Way podcast, Ex stated that the Englishman ‘is still not completely match-fit’ and is unlikely to be fit for the game against Brighton & Hove Albion.
He explained: “Dawson’s had a sort of thigh/hip injury – thigh injury, mainly. And he is still not completely match-fit.
“He almost certainly won’t play on Thursday, but he’s probably not going to make the Brighton game, either.”
Will Craig Dawson be regular starter for West Ham this season?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Craig Dawson and West Ham…
West Ham will face Danish side Viborg FF in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off round on Thursday before hosting the Seagulls in the league, but it seems as though Dawson won’t be fit for either game.
This will come as a big blow to the club who are desperately short of defensive options, with Nayef Aguerd and Angelo Ogbonna also out at the moment.
However, in better news, the club have since signed Paris Saint-Germain’s Thilo Kehrer, so he could come in and potentially provide some more depth until Dawson’s injury issues ease up.
At the very least, if that transfer does fall through for any reason, it does sound as though the Englishman is nearing a return – even if he isn’t quite ready to return for the next couple of fixtures.