West Ham United confirmed striker Pablo Felipe will miss four to six weeks with a calf injury, dealing a blow to the team’s push out of the relegation zone. The 22-year-old, who joined from Portuguese side Gil Vicente in January for £21 million, sat out the recent 2-1 loss to Manchester United.

Manager Nuno Espirito Santo hinted at injury troubles before that match. “Unfortunately we’re going to have some players out,” he said. “It is what it is, but I’m not going to say who it is.” Fans speculated wildly online. Pablo’s absence was clear on matchday.

The injury rules him out of key Premier League fixtures against Bournemouth, Liverpool, Fulham and Manchester City. A six-week layoff could extend his return past the March international break, potentially sidelining him for the April 5 clash with Aston Villa.

Pablo featured in five league games without a goal. Still, his pace injected fresh energy into West Ham’s attack alongside January arrival Taty Castellanos. The duo opened space for Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, who has hit form lately.

West Ham sit 18th, three points from safety, but enter the weekend on a strong run: three wins and a draw in their last five matches. Leeds United hold 15th, six points clear with Nottingham Forest (17th) and Tottenham Hotspur (16th) in between.

Both midfield clubs struggle. Forest fired manager Sean Dyche after a 0-0 draw with Wolves and a 3-1 loss at Leeds. They turned to Vitor Pereira, their fourth boss this season. Spurs axed Thomas Frank following two wins in 17 league games. Igor Tudor now takes the helm.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke keeps focus inward. “We only have to fulfil our end of the bargain between now and May,” sources close to the club said. The Whites face Aston Villa away this Saturday. West Ham host Bournemouth. Forest travel to Arsenal, Spurs to Liverpool.

West Ham’s form has narrowed the gap on Leeds despite the points buffer. Pablo’s injury disrupts that momentum. Leeds maintained distance through steady results amid the chaos below them.

Farke’s side grabbed a vital 3-1 win over Forest last time out. Villa presents another test against a Champions League-chasing side. A result there keeps pressure on the strugglers.

Hammers officials expect Pablo back by late March at best. His return hinges on rehab progress. West Ham lean on Bowen and Summerville to carry the line in the interim.