But Lucas Perez, who has yet to start in the Premier League for the Hammers, came on and scored twice in the 3-1 win while Andy Carroll, back from his latest prolonged lay-off, also made a late cameo against the Bluebirds.

Pellegrini said: "We know how important Marko is for our team. We have too many players injured in a month that we have to play seven games and then in January, six more games.

"But I always have the same answer – we have a squad and it is a chance for another player to demonstrate why they are here.

"So we must continue working with the players that are able to in this moment and that the others can recover as soon as they can.

"I was very happy with Lucas Perez the other day that he took his chance and scored two goals.

"I am pleased for him because he is a player that I brought to this team. I have known for years before that he is a good striker, but for different reasons he couldn't start in other games.

"The important thing is when they have the chance, they take the chance. With the long injury to Marko, Andy Carroll is back now as well and Perez, Javier Hernandez, Xande Silva. I hope that with all of them they will cover the absence of Marko."

Midfielder Wilshere remains on the casualty list and will miss Saturday's visit of Crystal Palace, but Pellegrini maintains the problem is not serious.

"With Wilshere it is his ankle, he not 100 per cent comfortable, so he will not be involved in this game.

"I think that just this game, I hope that next week he will be OK."

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