Just weeks before the African Cup of Nations, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce vented his frustration at how star striker Diafra Sakho returned from international duty with an unexpected injury.
And with vital fixtures against the likes of West Brom, Hull City, Liverpool and tomorrow's opponents Swansea City, the Hammers will lose crucial players Sakho, Alex Song and Cheikhou Kouyate next year to the month long tournament in Equatorial Guinea.
With six goals in seven starts, Big Sam said that he may have to send one of his own trusted medical staff at West Ham to keep an eye on the fitness of Senagalese striker Sakho.
Allardyce said "We'll have to have a discussion about that later down the line, but we may consider sending somebody with them to keep an eye on both Sakho and Kouyate.
"That might be our consideration to look after our assets. That competition is very big for the players, and they are very passionate about it. But looking after them in the right way is something we need to look at."
The present, however, is promising for the Hammers.
Considering that the Upton Park outfit only managed 11 wins in the whole of the last campaign, they have already won seven games this season. But Allardyce said the squad can't get too carried away, and sustainability is key.
"The next 14 games are going to have to be as good as the first 14 games," he said.
"Anything less would not keep us in this position. They may have to be better because we have to capitalise on some of the big teams not doing as well as first expected.
"Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal have all dropped points that weren't expected. This is why we are in this position now. To maintain it, we are going to have to match the big sides. It will be an interesting task to see if we can.
"The level of performance cannot even dip five per cent. Our performances will have to stay as they are, or maybe even get better."
Ahead of the game against Swansea City, Wilfried Bony has been identified as the main threat for Garry Monk's side. West Ham made a bid for the Ivorian striker while he was at Dutch Eredivisie side Vitesse, but opted for England striker Andy Carroll instead. Allardyce still believes he made the right decision.
Allardyce said: "Hopefully in the end it will be an Andy that doesn't sustain any more injuries, and I'm sure he will be back to what we all know he does best. In his first season at Newcastle in the Premier League he scored 11 goals in 16 matches, which forced a move to Liverpool.
"He's a massive goalscoring threat against anybody. We know he's done it before and we know his career hasn't blossomed like it should have done, but if he gets a run of games without any injuries then fulfil what he is capable of."
The Hammers have had nine different goal scorers from the their last nine goals and, with a near fully fit squad returning for the game against the Jacks, this match is set to be a very interesting battle between two in-form sides.