West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos suffers a hamstring tear, will be out for six weeks | OneFootball

West Ham United defender Konstantinos Mavropanos pulled up during the recent defeat against Brentford.

The 27-year-old reportedly suffered a hamstring tear, according to ExWHUEmployee, and will miss the next four to six weeks of action.

He said (via West Ham Way): “It gets worse for the club, with Mavropanos having suffered a severe hamstring tear, which sees him unavailable for around 4-6 weeks.

“It’s a huge blow for the club and Nuno (Espirito Santo) as we desperately seek to turn around a dreadful situation we find ourselves in.”

Mavropanos had played his way into the starting XI this season after struggling in previous campaigns.

He was genuinely looking like the best defender at the club, and this is a massive setback.

New West Ham manager Nuno had trusted him in his few games in charge, but could be without him till early December.

The Portuguese tactician will have to look for new solutions for games against Newcastle United, Burnley, Bournemouth and Liverpool in the coming weeks.

With Mavropanos sidelined, Nuno faces a real defensive conundrum.

Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman were unvincing as a pairing in the recent loss to Leeds United, exposing just how fragile West Ham’s backline can be.

The Hammers have shipped goals at an alarming rate, and Nuno may now be forced to consider a tactical shift, even if it’s unpopular.

A three-at-the-back system, though widely disliked by many fans after the drab showings under Graham Potter, might be the only route to restore some solidity.

It could allow Todibo and Kilman to operate with added cover while giving the wing-backs more freedom to press forward.

For Nuno, pragmatism must trump preference. If West Ham are to stop the rot and climb the table, embracing that formation could be their best chance at stability.