Hammer blow with Noble set to miss rest of the season after shoulder op

Mark Noble could miss the rest of West Ham’s season after suffering an injury relapse.



The influential midfielder has been out for more than a month with a trapped nerve in his shoulder and it now looks likely he needs surgery to solve the problem following a set back.



Set for surgery: Mark Noble is set to be sidelined for the rest of the campaign

Noble’s last game was the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, when he came off in the 76th minute, and his loss will be a huge blow to manager Sam Allardyce as he bids to ensure early Premier League safety.



West Ham are already missing captain Kevin Nolan, who has a broken little toe, and Joe Cole, with a hamstring injury, while Matt Taylor played against Chelsea with a fractured jaw.



Neither Noble, Nolan or Cole trained last week before the match at Stamford Bridge and Allardyce said: ‘Even though we’ve had two weeks since our last game it looks like none will have recovered in time.



‘We are still in a very good position but mathematically need to get a little closer.



'I think we need another five points; 38 will be safe this year but we will all aim for 40 just in case.’

