West Ham: Lucas Paqueta calms injury fears as David Moyes says Declan Rice ‘could play for any club’

West Ham star Lucas Paqueta says he expects to return from injury in two weeks, quashing fears he could miss Brazil’s World Cup campaign.

Club record signing Paqueta missed Wednesday night’s Premier League defeat to Liverpool with a shoulder problem sustained in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton.

Both before and after the 1-0 loss at Anfield, Hammers boss David Moyes refused to put a timeframe on his return but Paqueta, who is a regular starter for Brazil, confirmed on social media that the injury is not serious and barring any setback, he will be return to action for the Hammers prior to Qatar.

“Good evening all my people,” Paqueta wrote. “Last West Ham game against Southampton, I suffered a right clavicle injury. Got checked out today and came up with a ligament injury. I’m fine, it was just a scare.

“For the next two weeks, I’m back soon and I’ll be on the field with the Hammers. Thanks everyone for the messages.”

Meanwhile, Moyes hailed Declan Rice’s performance in defeat and believes the England midfielder is now back to his best.

“He was the best player on the pitch by a mile tonight,” Moyes said. “He’s a top player, could play for any club he’s that good.

“For long periods he had fantastic parts of play, how he took the ball and drove past people with the ball. I thought he was the best player on the pitch tonight.

“I think it’s him getting back to his level. Last season, he was playing that was in every game just about, he was so good. Tonight, he was the standout for me, certainly as the game went on, he was the standout player.”