Mexico’s manager Jaime Lozano has provided an update on Edson Alvarez’s hamstring injury.

Over the past season, Edson Alvarez has established himself as not only a brilliant Premier League midfielder but also as a pivotal player to West Ham. His presence in the middle of the park is something any team would be lucky to have and he’s arguably even more important because of this to his country.

Unfortunately, in what was expected to be a good campaign from the Mexican national team, the captain went down in their opening match of Copa America while running back. Not only is this a major blow for his country but it also has the potential to be a massive dent to Julen Lopetegui’s start to life at West Ham.

Frustratingly, we still don’t know the extent of the injury despite both the Hammers and Mexico’s medical teams “liaising”, according to the BBC.

While he wasn’t able to give a time frame on his return, Jaime Lozano was able to tell us when they should know by as well as explaining what a big loss he is. “We’re going to wait a couple of days to do some testing on him and to know well what he’s got going on,” he explained.

“He’s extremely important. He’s a leader, he understands the game well. He’s important on the pitch and in the locker room as well. You listen to him talk, he has a way with words and when he speaks you listen. This was a tough blow for all of us.”

Alvarez is someone many of the East London faithful would like to see as captain of the club next season and Lozano’s words clearly back up that he’d be the right man for the job. Hopefully he can make a recovery in time for preseason and, potentially, to play for his country before the tournament ends.