WEST HAM could be without midfielder Luis Boa Morte for up to six months after the Portugal international was taken to hospital with suspected cruciate ligament damage during the team's 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in the Barclays Asia Trophy.

Boa Morte twisted his knee in a challenge with Benoit Assou-Ekotto in the eleventh minute of the game and was stretchered off with a knee brace wrapped around his leg.

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola admitted to Sky Sports: "It's not looking good but he's gone to have a scan and we'll take it from there."