Lucas Paqueta laughs off claims he will be out for ‘at least two months’ with a calf injury stating the ‘every hour that passes sees his injury lay off increase by a month’

Lucas Paqueta has dismissed claims could be out of action for ‘at least two months’ with a calf injury.

Paqueta was forced off injured during West Ham’s 1-1 FA Cup draw with Bristol City on Sunday. He was seen holding his left leg before being treated by the club’s medical staff.

Reports later stated that Paqueta would be ruled out of action for ‘at least two months’ – hampering West Ham’s chances of securing a fourth successive season of European football.

However, Paqueta – who first picked up the injury against Arsenal at the end of December before missing West Ham’s goalless draw with Brighton on 2 January  – has dismissed such claims.

Paqueta took to social media to reply to a report stating he would be out for two months. The Brazilian playmaker said: ‘That’s it folks lol every hour increases by a month, calm down’.

Nevertheless, David Moyes will be left sweating over the fitness of Paqueta – who was not the only person to limp off injured during West Ham’s clash with Bristol City on the weekend.

Jarrod Bowen was also seen struggling at full time after hurting his left ankle, but there is currently no timeframe on his return following scans. Meanwhile, Michail Antonio also remains out.

Paqueta and Bowen have led West Ham to sixth in the Premier League, along with Mohammed Kudus, who has been nursing a hamstring issue ahead of representing Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Their absence means Moyes will need to shuffle his attack ahead of next week’s FA Cup replay in Bristol and with Premier League fixtures against Sheffield United, Bournemouth, Manchester United and Arsenal to follow in the coming month.