West Ham boss Lopetegui jokingly rules himself out after calf injury

London: West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui jokingly ruled himself out of his side s next game after ending up on crutches following their heavy League C...

London: West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui jokingly ruled himself out of his side's next game after ending up on crutches following their heavy League Cup loss away to Liverpool.

Football injuries are usually confined to the players, but so incensed was Loptegui by the London club's performance during Wednesday's thumping 5-1 defeat, he hurt his calf as he jumped in frustration.

The Spaniard hobbled around West Ham's training ground on Thursday and could still be using crutches for the Premier League match at London rivals Brentford on Saturday.

"I can't play in this match, for sure," Lopetegui joked. "I have a little injury in my calf. But it's not important. I don't play so it's not important."

The former Spain and Real Madrid boss, who replaced David Moyes at West Ham, is under increasing pressure just months into his new job after a poor start to the season.