Hammers centre half James Tomkins is likely to have to spend some time on the treatment table after limping off during Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Millwall.

West Ham’s James Tomkins looks like facing a couple of weeks on the sidelines after limping out of Saturday’s clash with Millwall after just 30 minutes.

The central defender has arguably been the best Hammers player this season, but he was clearly struggling almost from the start on Saturday at the Den, before being forced off on the half hour to be replaced by Winston Reid.

“He has got a groin strain,” said manager Sam Allardyce afterwards. “We’ve got a big week coming up next week with three games and he could miss all three.”

That could mean that Tomkins will have to sit out the home games with Peterborough United and Ipswich Town as well as the trip to Crystal Palace on October 1.

Allardyce had already rung the changes in defence by replacing Reid with Abdoulaye Faye and he was delighted with the way he played.

“It was great to see Abdoulaye Faye start his first game and complete it,” he said. “he is a very experienced, calming influence.

“He was one of the reasons we got a clean sheet because James Tomkins and Winston Reid can get a bit caught up in the atmosphere of a derby and get a little bit anxious whereas nothing fazes Abdoulaye.”

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