‘Nasty one’ – Nuno Espirito Santo gives injury update after West Ham star stretchered off during FA Cup tie

West Ham’s Konstantinos Mavropanos was stretchered off with a neck injury during the Hammers’ FA Cup win over QPR.

Nuno Espirito Santo said after the match that the Greek defender is ‘in pain’ and will need at least a ‘few days’ to recover.

The incident happened following a corner for QPR in the 39th minute, and he was down for several minutes.

Eventually, the former Arsenal man was lifted onto a stretcher and taken away to warm applause around the London Stadium.

As a result of the injury, there were ten minutes of added time in the first half, and Crysencio Summerville scored for the Hammers to put them 1-0 up.

One fan wrote on X: “That doesn’t look or sound good for Mavropanos. Could hear his screams as the play continued. Bad head injury”

Another added: “Mavropanos still down and not moving much. Being taken very seriously by medics – not what you want to see.”

The defender received treatment on his head and neck before he was lifted onto the stretcher.

He is understood to have been conscious when being hauled off.

It saw a change in formation from Nuno as well as an introduction for new man Pablo for the defender.

QPR also sent a message of support to the 28-year-old.

They said: “Into added time after lengthy treatment for West Ham’s Mavropanos. We wish him well.”

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Injury update

West Ham needed extra time to get past the Championship side after Richard Kone equalised for the away side on 65 minutes.

But the east Londoners advance to the fourth round with new signing Taty Castellanos getting the decisive goal.

Nuno was asked about Mavropanos’ wellbeing after the game with the Portuguese confirming the 28-year-old will need further assessment before his return to the team is considered.

“Yeah, it was a neck injury,” Nuno said. “It was a nasty one. He’s in pain. Let’s assess him.

“But it was a neck injury. Let’s see. For the couple of days he’s going to need to rest.”

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Forced into action

West Ham have already been active in the transfer market signing Castellanos and Pablo.

But the defence is an area of the team that has needed improving for some time.

This injury to Mavropanos, coupled with the poor form of Max Kilman could see Nuno dip back into the transfer market.

Of course, everyone is hoping that the Greek defender isn’t out for a long time and gets the treatment he needs to return.

But if he is out for any extended period of time, the Irons are down to two senior centre-backs.

West Ham are fighting for their Premier League future, having only won three top-flight games all season.

After a 2-1 defeat in midweek to Nottingham Forest, they are seven points away from safety.