West Ham's Masuaku out 6 weeks with knee injury

West Ham left-back Arthur Masuaku is expected to miss six weeks through injury, forcing manager Slaven Bilic to get creative in defence.

Masuaku, a £6-million summer signing from Olympiacos, provided cover on the flank for Aaron Cresswell, who hasn't played this season due to a knee injury.

Now his deputy has suffered his own knee problem. Bilic confirmed Friday that Masuaku damaged ligaments during West Ham's 1-0 win over fourth-tier Accrington Stanley in the League Cup. The 22-year-old was stretchered off the pitch after Bilic had made his three substitutions, leaving the home side to finish the match with 10 men.

"It is not good news and both our left backs have damaged their ligaments," said the Croatian boss. "But we still have a good team.

Bilic will welcome Alvaro Arbeloa into the team for the first time this weekend, having secured the services of the former Real Madrid defender on a free transfer. Arbeloa could earn minutes at left-back Sunday against Southampton.

"I am expecting us to be really good on Sunday," added Bilic. "We had a similar position when we played Southampton last season."

Masuaku was hardly convincing in his first six matches for the Hammers. He was culpable for two handball offences in quick succession last weekend at West Brom - the latter of which led to a penalty in a 4-2 loss to the Baggies.

Cresswell, however, is set to rejoin the squad following the October international break.