West Ham United co-chairman David Gold has revealed that summer signing Enner Valencia is trailing behind his new team-mates in training.
Fatigue picked up towards the end of his World Cup campaign with Ecuador in Brazil has hampered the striker’s introduction to life in the capital.
Veteran entrepreneur Gold does not expect the £12million hitman to feature in tomorrow’s pre-season friendly against Serie A outfit Sampdoria and admitted he has some way to go before he reaches optimum fitness.
When quizzed about Valencia’s condition and the chances of him playing tomorrow by followers on Twitter, Gold replied: “I doubt it. He is two weeks behind the training schedule.”
It represents another blow for Hammers supporters who have already seen record signing Andy Carroll ruled out for four months with an ankle problem.
Valencia is the man brought in to step into his boots following the big-money switch from Mexican club Pachuca.
Sam Allardyce’s men are yet to pick up a win in pre-season, adding to the pressure on the boss.
Supporters turned on him on several occasions during the 2013-14 campaign and he enters the new season as one of the bookmakers’ favourites to receive his marching orders from the board.