West Ham United have avoided a far bigger problem after Keiber Lamadrid 's knee injury proved far less serious than first feared. The Venezuela international limped off during the pre-season draw against 1. FC Magdeburg, raising concern because he had started every friendly under Nuno Espírito Santo. According to Venezuelan outlet Meridiano, with the report relayed by Sport Witness , medical examinations found no major structural damage, leaving the winger with only a minor injury.
That news arrived at the right moment. Lamadrid completed a permanent £1 million move from Deportivo La Guaira earlier this summer after an initial loan spell and had quickly forced his way into Nuno's first-team thinking. Consecutive starts against Stevenage, Rangers and Magdeburg suggested the 22-year-old had moved well ahead in the pecking order following Crysencio Summerville 's departure.
Even so, West Ham United won't have him available immediately. Medical staff expect Lamadrid to spend around two to three weeks recovering, ruling him out of the EFL Cup tie with Portsmouth and Championship fixtures against Charlton Athletic and Watford. If rehabilitation stays on track, he could return in early September.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JULY 26: Oliver Antman of Rangers battles with Keiber Lamadrid of West Ham United during a pre-season friendly match between Rangers and West Ham at Ibrox Stadium on July 26, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Patience matters here. Lamadrid finally got the real momentum after an encouraging first few months in England , and interrupting that development with a rushed comeback would make little sense.
His numbers may look modest, though they deserve context. During the 2025-26 Premier League 2 season, he scored once and supplied one assist in three appearances, playing 195 minutes, before making his senior debut in the FA Cup victory over Burton Albion. Those displays convinced West Ham to complete his permanent signing.
Nuno now faces a balancing act. Explosive wingers place enormous strain on their knees through constant bursts of pace and sharp turns, especially across the relentless Championship schedule. Missing three matches feels frustrating. Missing another two months because of a setback would hurt far more.
This injury update shouldn't change the board's transfer plans. Summerville's sale, alongside the departures of Adama Traoré and Callum Wilson , has left the squad short of proven attacking options.
Lamadrid looked ready for a breakthrough before his injury, yet expecting a 22-year-old with limited senior football to carry that responsibility from the opening weeks always carried risk. West Ham should still pursue an experienced Championship winger, with players such as Manuel Benson fitting that profile, or explore a Premier League loan. That would give Nuno genuine competition while allowing Lamadrid to return without carrying the weight of an entire attack on his shoulders.
