Alan Curbishley today hit back at suggestions that West Ham's injury crisis is largely self-inflicted.

The manager has been criticised for buying players with suspect injury records during the summer, such as Kieron Dyer and Freddie Ljungberg.

Dyer has been sidelined since the end of August, while Ljungberg has played only six games this season.

Following Tuesday's Carling Cup win over Coventry, the club had 12 senior players on their casualty list.

"Most of the injuries have been impact and there is nothing you can do about that," he told the Daily Mail.

"Kieron has had his problems in recent seasons but he is out with a broken leg. The only significant muscle injury at the moment is Freddie's and he is back running again."