West Ham striker Diafra Sakho has been ruled out for up to two months with a thigh injury.
The Senegalese forward picked up the problem during Saturday's 1-1 draw with West Brom and had to be substituted after 75 minutes.
The club branded the injury "significant" in the aftermath of the game against Tony Pulis' side and their fears have been confirmed after Sakho met with a specialist earlier today.
The early diagnosis suggests that the forward will not be available until early February and will miss the entirety of the east Londoners' festive fixtures.
Sakho has scored three goals in 12 Premier League appearances this season and his extended absence will add to a growing injury list that has weakened Slaven Bilic's front line in recent weeks.
Midfielder Dimitri Payet is set to step up his rehabilitation from an ankle injury but will not feature until the New Year while Enner Valencia is currently sidelined too.
The Ecuador international has spent time in his homeland in the early stages of his recovery from an ankle problem but it is hoped he will return to the first-team fold before Christmas.
West Ham travel to Manchester United this weekend with Andy Carroll or Nikica Jelavic expected to lead the visitors' front line at Old Trafford.
