Hitzlsperger facing two more weeks on sidelines

West Ham manager Avram Grant will have to plan without the services of new signing Thomas Hitzlsperger once again for the game against Chelsea on September 11.

The German international was expected to make his first start following his free transfer move during the summer.

But he has failed to recover from a thigh injury he picked up for Germany in a friendly against Denmark last month and needs at least two more weeks to regain full fitness.

His absence will come as a major blow to Grant who is still searching for his first win as West Ham manager after losing his opening three games.