West Ham United and Ivory Coast wide man Maxwel Cornet has suffered another setback in his recovery from a calf injury at the London Stadium, injury journalist Ben Dinnery has told GiveMeSport.
The former Burnley man has struggled to get a regular run of games for David Moyes’ side so far this season.
West Ham injury news – Maxwel Cornet
First-team coach Billy McKinlay has confirmed to the media that Cornet will not return to action before the new year, stating (via Claret&Hugh): “He won’t be fit for the next couple of games, I wouldn’t think, but hopefully he won’t be too far away. Hopefully, he will be available for the match at Leeds but given his recent injury history there can be no certainty.”
The 26-year-old first suffered the calf injury in a Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the beginning of October and has been unable to return to action since, having suffered several setbacks in the process.
Dinnery has previously updated GiveMeSport on the winger’s injury status with the wide man being in a position to be assessed daily last month.
But following another small setback, Cornet’s return to action has now been put back again with the £17.5m summer signing unlikely to feature again until the new year.
What has Dinnery said about Cornet’s injury?
Dinnery told GiveMeSport: “Unfortunately, there's been another slight setback. Given the previous issues that he’s had with regards to a potential return, the club aren’t prepared or willing to push the player too hard and risk something a little bit more serious that could potentially curtail his campaign.
“It's one of those things you have to deal with. The protocols within this recovery and rehab will be activity based.
“So, there will be elements of activities that the player will need to work through to progress to ultimately reintegrating into full team training. Unfortunately, he’s suffered a slight setback.”
How has Cornet performed this season?
It comes as little surprise that Cornet has struggled to hold down a regular spot in Moyes’ first XI in the Premier League this season given his record, with the 29-time Ivory Coast international making five appearances without providing a goal or assist, according to Transfermarkt.
The £40k-per-week winger has been able to supply three assists in two appearances in the Europa Conference League this season but will have had aspirations to have made more of an impression at the London Stadium come the turn of the year.
However, Cornet will feel that if his injury is managed correctly going into the new year, the second half of the campaign will give him the platform to demonstrate the positive impact he can have in the West Ham team as they look towards firing themselves into the top half of the Premier League on top of their Conference League campaign.