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West Ham have been rocked by the news that Manuel Lanzini will miss ALL of next season with his knee injury.

The 25-year-old forward is understood to be distraught after the full extent of the problem was outlined to his club. In total he is set to miss 15 months.

Lanzini picked up the injury in training with the Argentina squad a week before the World Cup kicked off in Russia.

He’d preciously been told he could be hopeful of being back for part of the 2018-19 campaign after rupturing cruciate ligaments in the buikd up to the World Cup.

Mirror Football understands, however, the club have been told his injury is a 'cruciate plus' - ruling him out for far longer that he and that had previously thought.

(Image: AFP) (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Lanzini has grown into a key player for West Ham with his performances last season sparking suggestions he could attract the interest of bigger clubs.

New Irons manager Manuel Pellegrini instead looking for replacements and could yet move for former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere, despite doubts behind the scenes at West Ham over his fitness.

(Image: Reuters)

So far during the close season, the Irons have broken it’s transfer record to sign £24 million defender Issa Diop, £7m keeper Lukas Fabianski and defender Ryan Fredericks from Fulham on a free transfer.