Source: Telegraph
West Ham to be without Scott Parker for push for Europe
Parker has missed the last four games with a groin injury and his absence has had an affect on West Ham's hopes of winning a place in Europe.[LNB]And Gianfranco Zola admitted that he did not know when Parker, 28, will recover sufficiently in time to return.[LNB] Related ArticlesZola promises bright West Ham futureWest Ham management agree contractsPremier League team newsClarke signs new West Ham contractRedknapp hails FerdinandZola remakes West HamThough the West Ham manager insisted he was not concerned over the future of Parker, his inability to return is causing the West Ham management headaches.[LNB]In his absence, West Ham have taken four points from four games, with defeats at Spurs and at home to Chelsea dropping them from the coveted seventh place to ninth.[LNB]Zola said: "I honestly don't know if he will play again this season. He is working very hard on his fitness to get fit again but we are unsure whether he will play again this season.[LNB]"I don't think he will need to have surgery," added Zola. "His problem is that he has chronic inflammation in the groin. This is causing him problems."[LNB]Parker managed to start only 17 games last season, because of a troublesome knee injury, and this season the England international had been virtually ever-present until the latest setback. But Zola has sympathy having suffered from a similar injury during his playing days.[LNB]"I have had the same injury many years ago and I know it is tough," added the Italian. "One day you feel OK and the next, you feel bad. Maybe in five of six he might be fitter. [LNB]"I'm not worried about it. I am sure he will get over it; I'm just disappointed because he is one of our key players and missing him at this point of the season is not good for us.[LNB]"I had to work on my body when I had the injury. Once I sorted it out, I never had those problems again. I have given him all my knowledge about the injury and every one is taking care of him. You just have to be patient and keep working until he gets over it." [LNB]
