West Ham United expect Lee Bowyer to be out of action for six weeks
with a dislocated shoulder.
The midfielder suffered the injury during the early stages of his
side's 6-0 thrashing at Reading on New Year's Day.
Bowyer picked up the problem after landing awkwardly under a
challenge and was replaced by Shaun Newton less than 20 minutes
into the game.
He is now likely to miss the rest of January, with The Hammers
looking at six weeks before he is ready to return.
"Lee sustained a dislocation to his right shoulder and, although
the joint is now back in place, he will be in a brace for around
three weeks," head physiotherapist Steve Allen told the club's
official website.
"We are probably looking at a spell of six weeks before he is fit
to play again."
Bowyer's injury could now have an influence on manager Alan
Curbishley's thinking as he looks to add to his shell-shocked squad
during the transfer window.