West Ham striker Freddie Kanoute will visit a specialist in Canada tomorrow in a bid to resolve his long-running groin problem.
Kanoute will see Vancouver-based consultant Alex McCetney. He will miss the club's FA Cup clash with Nottingham Forest as a result.
West Ham manager Glenn Roeder said: "We are taking the view that this is the final push to getting Fredi 100 per cent so that when he returns he stays fit and stays in the team.
"We need his ability, we need his physical presence - and we are going to have to wait longer, as painful as it is".
With Kanoute's striking partner Paulo di Canio also out injured, Roeder is hoping to sign three players during the January transfer window to boost the club's fight against relegation.
Tottenham forward Les Ferdinand is one of the names touted, but Roeder admitted finalising the deal was proving difficult.
AFP