West Ham’s Tomkins ruled out with calf injury

LONDON: West Ham United will be without defender James Tomkins for Tuesday’s (today) FA Cup fourth-round replay against Liverpool and the next few games, manager Slaven Bilic said on Monday.

Tomkins damaged his calf in Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League defeat at Southampton but Joey O’Brien is back in contention after recovering from an ankle injury.

“Joey is a good player. It is a big blow that Tomkins is out now. It is a good thing that we have Joey back. We are well covered,” Bilic told reporters.

O’Brien returned to competitive action for the first time since July in the 0-0 draw against Liverpool in the first game at Anfield on Jan.

30.Liverpool have injury problems of their own, although striker Daniel Sturridge was on the bench in the 2-2 draw with Sunderland on Saturday.

“We are well prepared for whatever team they come with,” Bilic said. “If it is not Sturridge, it will be (Christian) Benteke. They have a lot of good strikers and the difference is the midfield.”