West Ham striker out for three months after keyhole surgery

West Ham United's Ricardo Vaz Te is helped from the pitch injured during the 3-1 Premier League defeat to Arsenal. Photo credit: Daniel Hambury/PA wire

Tuesday, October 16, 2012
2:17 PM

West Ham could be without Ricardo Vaz Te for three months after the striker underwent shoulder surgery.

The Portuguese suffered a dislocation when he collided with Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone in the Irons’ 3-1 defeat at the start of the month.

Manager Sam Allardyce revealed that his medical staff advised him the best option for a complete recovery without complications was keyhole surgery, which the 26-year-old went through last night.

“We think we’ve chosen the best option to strengthen the shoulder and get him back as quickly as we can,” the Hammers boss said.

He added: “There would have been a slightly quicker option to get him back but we would have been unsure on the stability of the shoulder and it could have been more susceptible to dislocate again.”

Allardyce also urged his other attackers to fill the void while Vaz Te begins his rehabilitation.

““We’ve got some good players ready to step up in place,” he said, adding: “Matt Taylor has been there and there are others in the squad that haven’t quite played as much such as Gary O’Neil.

“Whichever option we pick it’s up to them to step up to the mark. They need to provide the attacking opportunities that we need.”