Last Updated: Friday 25 September 2026 | 15:30 BST
West Ham United have several fitness issues to monitor during the international break before Nuno Espírito Santo’s side return to Championship action against Queens Park Rangers.
Tomáš Souček is continuing his recovery from ankle ligament damage, Joël Veltman missed the Millwall derby with a knock and Alphonse Areola has been working his way back from his own fitness problem.
There has also been a fresh concern involving young goalkeeper Finlay Herrick, who has withdrawn from England U20 duty through injury, while summer signing Adama Boiro has reportedly been dealing with a minor physical issue.
This West Ham injury news page will be kept updated throughout the 2026/27 season with the latest fitness information, potential return dates and suspensions affecting Nuno’s squad.
West Ham Injury List
| Player | Issue | Current Status | Potential Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomáš Souček | Ankle ligament injury | Recovering / progressing | QPR – to be confirmed |
| Joël Veltman | Knock | Recovering | QPR – to be confirmed |
| Alphonse Areola | Fitness issue | Reportedly back in training | QPR – to be confirmed |
| Finlay Herrick | Unspecified injury | Withdrawn from England U20s | Unknown |
| Adama Boiro | Minor fitness issue | Recovering | To be confirmed |
| Mohamadou Kanté | Suspension | Unavailable vs QPR | Lincoln City |
Return dates remain provisional unless officially confirmed by West Ham.
Tomas Soucek Injury Latest
Tomáš Souček remains one of the most important players for West Ham to monitor during the international break.
The midfielder has not featured for the Hammers this season after suffering ligament damage to his left ankle while representing Czechia at the World Cup.
Souček has gradually stepped up his rehabilitation at Rush Green and had already begun completing sections of training with Nuno’s first-team group earlier in September.
West Ham’s official team news before the Millwall derby provided another encouraging update, with Nuno confirming Souček was “getting better”.
He was not considered ready for the trip to The Den, but the lengthy international break now gives him almost another three weeks of recovery before West Ham face QPR.
Our detailed Tomas Soucek injury update follows his rehabilitation from the ankle problem.
There is not yet official confirmation that Souček will be available against QPR on 9 October, so his return should remain listed as to be confirmed until Nuno provides another update.
Joel Veltman Recovering From Knock
Joël Veltman is another experienced player Nuno will hope to recover during the break.
The Dutch defender suffered a knock during West Ham’s 6-0 Championship victory over Wrexham on 11 September.
He subsequently missed the Carabao Cup defeat against Fulham and was ruled out of the Millwall derby.
Nuno confirmed Veltman’s absence before the trip to The Den, saying the defender was “still recovering and improving”.
Veltman’s availability against QPR has not yet been confirmed.
The international break should give the 34-year-old additional recovery time, but West Ham will need to assess him before club football resumes.
Kyle Walker-Peters started at right-back in Veltman’s absence against Millwall.
Alphonse Areola Injury Update
There have been encouraging signs surrounding Alphonse Areola.
The goalkeeper missed West Ham’s recent fixtures after suffering a fitness problem, with Mads Hermansen continuing as Nuno’s first-choice option.
Nuno confirmed before Millwall that Areola was improving alongside Souček.
A subsequent report indicated the French goalkeeper had returned to training, as covered in our latest Alphonse Areola injury update.
West Ham have not yet officially confirmed that Areola is ready to return to competitive action.
The club therefore have time to assess him before QPR visit London Stadium.
Finlay Herrick Withdraws From England Duty
Finlay Herrick has become West Ham’s newest fitness concern.
The goalkeeper was originally selected alongside Airidas Golambeckis, Ezra Mayers and Divine Mukasa in Darren Moore’s England U20 squad.
However, the Football Association confirmed Herrick had withdrawn from the squad before England’s games against Italy, France and Germany.
Arsenal goalkeeper Khari Ranson was called up as his replacement.
The nature of Herrick’s injury and the length of any potential absence have not been disclosed.
That means there is currently no confirmed return date for the 20-year-old.
Herrick’s fitness is particularly worth monitoring while Areola is also returning from his recent problem.
Adama Boiro Dealing With Minor Issue
Adama Boiro has also been absent after making his West Ham debut against Derby County earlier in September.
The left-back subsequently missed the victories over Wrexham, the Carabao Cup tie against Fulham and the Championship draw at Millwall.
Spanish outlet Deia has reported that Boiro has been dealing with minor physical discomfort, rather than simply being left out because of Nuno’s selection decisions.
We covered the situation in our Adama Boiro injury update.
The report describes the problem as minor, but West Ham have not publicly announced a return date.
The international break provides Boiro with additional recovery time before QPR.
Is Dinos Mavropanos Injured?
There is currently no confirmed injury involving Dinos Mavropanos.
The centre-back briefly required treatment while representing Greece against Serbia on Thursday night.
However, Mavropanos was able to continue playing for more than 20 minutes afterwards before being replaced during stoppage time.
There has been no subsequent announcement from Greece or West Ham suggesting he suffered a new injury.
Mavropanos should therefore not be added to West Ham’s confirmed injury list unless further information emerges.
Our West Ham international break tracker will continue monitoring his involvement with Greece.
Mohamadou Kante Suspended Against QPR
Mohamadou Kanté is not injured but will be unavailable for West Ham’s first match following the international break.
The midfielder was shown a straight red card late in the 2-2 draw against Millwall after bringing down Kyrell Lisbie as the forward moved towards goal.
The dismissal for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity results in a one-match suspension.
That rules Kanté out of the Championship meeting with Queens Park Rangers on Friday 9 October.
Our Mohamadou Kanté suspension guide explains the ban in full.
Kanté is set to become available again for the away fixture against Lincoln City on Wednesday 14 October.
West Ham Availability vs QPR
West Ham’s next match comes against Queens Park Rangers at London Stadium on Friday 9 October at 8pm BST.
The lengthy break provides Nuno with valuable recovery time for several players.
The main fitness questions to monitor are:
- Tomáš Souček’s progress from his ankle ligament injury
- Joël Veltman’s recovery from his knock
- Alphonse Areola’s return to full fitness
- Finlay Herrick’s unspecified injury
- Adama Boiro’s minor fitness problem
Kanté is already confirmed unavailable through suspension.
West Ham are unlikely to provide definitive team news until much closer to the fixture, meaning return dates should remain provisional until Nuno speaks publicly.
Supporters can find the full viewing information in our West Ham vs QPR TV channel and live stream guide.
Our updated West Ham next five fixtures guide also covers the demanding October schedule awaiting Nuno’s squad.
This West Ham injury news page will be refreshed whenever the club, Nuno or another reliable source provides a meaningful fitness update.
