West Ham will be seeking reinforcements in the forward areas over the next month, according to coach Julen Lopetegui.
The Hammers have lost Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen to long-term injuries in recent weeks, while German international Niklas Volkrug has struggled with form and fitness since joining from Borussia Dortmund over the summer.
The January window is open and Lopetegui will be hoping that manager Tim Stedten can provide some reinforcements.
He said: “We have lost important strikers, but the club knows our needs and will work.”
“The club is working to do the work, and we have to focus on preparing to compete in matches.
“I'm not talking about the market here, I'm focusing more on the upcoming matches, and we have all our strengths and beliefs on Saturday. Players who are not here will not help us on Saturday.
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Bowen will be out for a while – Lopetegui
Bowen's broken foot – suffered during Sunday's 5-0 defeat at home to Premier League leaders Liverpool – is a particular blow.
“He will definitely not be out for a few days,” Lopetegui said of the English winger.
“Unfortunately for us, he has an injury, he played with it for 30 minutes, and now he has to recover.
“It's not good news for us, but we're sure he'll work hard for his recovery because of his character. I'd prefer not to give a number of days, but we'll see how things develop.
“Jarod is one of our key players, our leader, but we have to find solutions, and it is up to the other players to show they are ready. We are looking for Jarrod to recover quickly, but in the same way we look at the other players.
Antonio spends time with family
Antonio suffered a lower extremity fracture in a car accident a month ago and will not return for the foreseeable future.
Lopetegui added: “Michael will be out of action for some time, but it is good that he is at home with his family.” He added: “He will certainly try to recover as quickly as possible, but we will not allow him to return here for a long time.”
West Ham travel to Manchester City on Saturday, with Alphonse Areola set to continue in goal with Lukasz Fabianski remaining out with a head injury sustained at Southampton on Boxing Day.
Former Real Madrid coach Lopetegui said: “We have to wait 10 days to fulfill the Premier League protocol, and then he will be ready to help us, but we are confident in Alphonse and Wes (Fodringham).”
