West Ham United have received a heavy injury blow.

The Daily Mail says Michail Antonio is facing six weeks out with a hamstring tear as the number of Premier League stars with soft tissue injuries nears 50 per cent more than at the same stage last season.

In a devastating blow to West Ham, striker Antonio was substituted in the 52nd minute of last Saturday's 1-1 draw against Manchester City with what scans have revealed to be a Grade 2 hamstring tear.

Hammers boss David Moyes had hoped that the injury was not too severe but Antonio, who had scored three goals in six games, will miss Saturday's trip to face Liverpool at Anfield, along with the London derby with Fulham.

As of last weekend, there had been 78 examples of players suffering muscular injuries, according to data collected by Premier Injuries, which is a 42 per cent increase on 55 from the previous campaign.