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Julen Lopetegui has backed Jarrod Bowen to make a speedy recovery after the West Ham skipper was ruled out for six weeks with a fractured foot.
Bowen hobbled off during the 5-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday with the club later announcing the forward was set for a spell on the sidelines.
The injury comes as a huge blow to the Hammers with Bowen leading the way this season for the club in both goals and assists, scoring five times and setting up another four.
Lopetegui refused to put a timeframe on the injury but it is understood the club expect him to be out for up to six weeks but hopeful he could be back even sooner.
‘It’s not going to be just a few days so it’s not good for us,’ said Lopetegui. ‘Now he has to rest and recover.
‘We are sure that Jarrod is going recover quicker because of his character but it’s true that he’s going to be out in the next matches.
Julen Lopetegui has backed Jarrod Bowen to recover ‘quicker’ than expected from his injury
The West Ham boss did not put a timeframe on the injury, but it is understood the captain could be out for up to six weeks with a fractured foot
Lopetegui urged other West Ham stars to step up in the absence of their stricken talisman
‘I prefer not to give a number [on how long he will be out] because we have to see how he’s going to develop the next weeks.’
Bowen will now miss the weekend’s game against Manchester City as well as the FA Cup third-round clash with Aston Villa.
Under-pressure Lopetegui has urged other West Ham stars to step up in Bowen’s absence as they look to bounce back from their thumping to Liverpool that came off the back of a run of four unbeaten.
‘Jarrod is one of our main players for sure and our captain too but now we have to find a solution and it’s the moment for other players to show that they are ready to help us,’ said Lopetegui.
‘We are looking for Jarrod to recover as soon as possible but, in the same way, we believe in the players in the squad that they are going to try to take advantage of this opportunity.’