West Ham United’s £5m Winger Faces Injury Doubt: Should Nuno Risk Him?

West Ham United’s £5m Winger Faces Injury Doubt: Should Nuno Risk Him? West Ham have received an unwelcome fitness concern involving Manor Solomon ahead of Israel’s UEFA Nations League meeting with the Republic of Ireland on Sunday. The 27-year-old winger has developed back pain, leaving his availability uncertain for the fixture in Bačka Topola, Serbia. Israel’s medical staff will assess him again on Saturday before manager Ran Ben-Shimon makes a final decision. According to Sport1 Maariv, via Sport Witness , Solomon remains one of three Israel players who are still questionable for Sunday’s match. The former Tottenham Hotspur and Fiorentina winger has already undergone an examination, but another assessment will determine whether he can resume group training. West Ham face uncertainty over Manor Solomon’s fitness Solomon travelled to Serbia with the Israel squad on Friday, despite concerns about his physical condition. iSport reports that the winger remains in contention for Sunday’s encounter, although his participation depends on the outcome of his latest medical assessment. There had been little indication of a problem earlier in the international break. Solomon started all three matches for Israel, completing 90 minutes in two appearances. Ben-Shimon substituted him after 73 minutes against Austria. No significant fitness concerns emerged from the Israeli media during those appearances. However, playing three international matches in a short period can create additional physical demands, particularly for a player who has previously struggled with injuries. Solomon missed Israel fixtures last November and another international match in March because of separate fitness problems. His latest back complaint has raised fresh questions about his availability, although nobody has established how he suffered the injury. The Israel medical team will assess the situation before allowing him to return to full training. Should West Ham protect Solomon rather than rush his return? LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 11: Manor Solomon of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team’s sixth goal during the Sky Bet Championship 2026/27 match between West Ham United and Wrexham at London Stadium on September 11, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) For West Ham , this situation deserves attention, but there’s no reason to treat it as a major setback yet. Solomon arrived permanently from Tottenham during the summer for a reported £5m, including add-ons. His attacking contribution gives Nuno Espírito Santo another option alongside Jarrod Bowen, particularly during a demanding Championship campaign. With West Ham sitting second after eight matches on 15 points, just two behind Swansea City, squad availability carries real importance. My view is straightforward: West Ham must prioritise Solomon’s fitness over any short-term benefit from rushing his return. An unexplained back problem can become troublesome if a player returns before recovering properly. Besides, Solomon has already completed two full international matches during this break. Keiber Lamadrid provides another option, while Bowen can shoulder additional creative responsibility if Solomon misses a match. Nuno should communicate with Israel’s medical staff, examine the latest results and avoid unnecessary pressure on the winger. A brief absence won’t derail West Ham’s promotion campaign. However, losing Solomon for several weeks through an avoidable aggravation would create a far bigger problem. I’d rather see him miss Sunday’s international fixture than return to club football carrying an injury that could have healed with proper rest.