West Ham will look to recruit a defensive midfielder next month, according to manager Julen Lopetegui.
The Hammers have lost Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen to injury in recent weeks, while Germany international Niclas Fullkrug has struggled for form and fitness since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
With the January window open, Lopetegui is hoping technical director Tim Steidten can provide some reinforcements.
He said: “We have lost two important strikers, but as a club we know what we need and we will work on it.
“The club is working to do this job and we have to focus on being ready to compete in the games.
“I'm not talking about the market here; We have all our energy and belief on Saturday, focusing more on the next games. The players who are not here will not help us on Saturday.”
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Take a break – Lopetegui
Bowen's broken foot, which was injured in Sunday's 5-0 home defeat by Premier League leaders Liverpool, was a major blow.
England winger Lopetegui said: “I'm sure he'll be out in a few days.
“Unfortunately for us, he got injured and played 30 minutes and now he's back.
“This is not good news for us. But given his character, I'm sure he'll do his best to recover. I don't want to give it many days, but we'll see how things develop.
“Jarrod is one of our key players and our captain, but we have to find solutions and it's up to the other players to show that they are ready. We wish Jarrod a speedy recovery, But it's the same when you look at other players.”
Antonio spends time with his family.
Antonio broke his lower leg in a car crash a month ago and is out for the foreseeable future.
“Michail has to go out for a while but it's good to be at home with the family,” Lopetegui said. “I'm sure he'll make a speedy recovery, but we won't have him back here for long.”
West Ham will face Manchester City on Saturday with Alphonse Areola back in goal with Lukasz Fabianski injured on Saturday against Southampton.
Former Real Madrid coach Lopetegui said: “We have to wait 10 days to fulfill the Premier League rules. After that he is ready to help us, but we trust Alphonse and Wes (Foderingham),” said former Real Madrid coach Lopetegui.