West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has admitted neither Lukasz Fabianski or David Martin are likely to be able to play two games in 48 hours ahead of the games against Crystal Palace and Leicester City.
Both keepers are training after both picking up hip muscle injuries, Fabianski's far more serious than Martin's, but neither of them are 100 per cent fit heading into the Boxing Day trip to Palace.
Fabianski required hip surgery after tearing a muscle against Bournemouth in mid-September while taking a goal kick. Martin did his damage last time out against Southampton late on when he too was making a clearance.
Fabianski's absence has been particularly hard felt when he was replaced by the hapless Roberto, who committed a string of high-profile errors before being replaced by Martin, who has kept two clean sheets in his four appearances to date.
Manager Pellegrini has a massive dilemma on his hands as neither can play in quick succession and judging on whether both of them are fit enough, will have to rotate them or bring back Roberto for the Palace game and the hosting of Leicester City on the 28th.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Pellegrini said: "Both of them [Fabianski and Martin] are recovering.
"We will see in the next day what happens with which of them is able to play. Not Lukasz or David are able to play two games in 48 hours.
"Both of them could be missing, both of them could be playing, we will see. These two days will be very important to have the medical decision, the player decision and of course, my decision.
When asked if he was confident that Roberto, who punched the ball into his own net during defeat at Burnley, allowed a goal at his near post from Bernard at Everton, was at fault for two of the three goals against Newcastle and failed to stop Son's effort on goal in defeat to Spurs, the manager was defiant.
"Roberto didn't have good performance when he played but I always say he has a career behind him, a lot of experience maybe he was a bit unlucky but I continue to trust in him" the Chilean said.
"If he has to play he will do it in the way we know he can do."
