West Ham dealt injury blow as Jarrod Bowen is RULED OUT of their Europa League first-leg against Xabi Alonso’s high-flying Bayer Leverkusen

West Ham have been dealt a huge injury blow with Jarrod Bowen set to miss the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final with Bayer Leverkusen.

Bowen, who has 19 goals and eight assists in all competitions this season, limped off in the 54th minute of the Hammers’ 2-1 win at Wolves on Saturday.

While the forward’s injury is not thought to be serious, Mail Sport understands he will not be fit to face Xabi Alonso’s side on Thursday.

It’s a huge blow for boss David Moyes, who had hoped his top scorer would recover in time for the trip to Germany.

Speaking after his side’s victory at Wolves, Moyes said: ‘You need all your top players at this stage of the season and Jarrod is one who’s been doing great for us.

The 27-year-old, who is injured ahead of the European tie, had to be substituted 54 minutes into West Ham’s game against Wolves and headed straight down the tunnel at Molineux

David Moyes will have to make do without his side’s top scorer for the trip to Bayer Leverkusen

‘It looks like he’s had a knee into his hip, or his back. It’s not a twist or anything like that. He’s really stiff and I’ve had one or two of those myself and they don’t go away too quick.

‘We need to hope it doesn’t linger. I asked Jarrod how he’s feeling and he said he feels sore. I’m just hoping it’s not too bad.

‘Every week you need your big players to be ready, but we need him this week.’

Moyes will need a big performance from the rest of his players with Leverkusen unbeaten in 41 games this season.

They are also 16 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table. The Hammers, though, have lost just two games in their last 23 European fixtures under Moyes.