Domingos sale caught out boss

MANUEL PELLEGRINI says West Ham’s surprise decision to sell Domingos Quina to Watford was news to him too.

The Hammers will face the Portuguese teenager tomorrow – when he will bid to help Watford end the east London club’s four-match winning run.

Quina, 19, was sold on transfer deadline day for £1m and became Watford’s youngest Premier League goalscorer after netting against Cardiff last Saturday.

West Ham boss Pellegrini said: “I didn’t sell him in the summer.

“I didn’t know about him because when I arrived here, he was playing in Portugal with his young national squad.

“After that, he couldn’t play with us in pre-season and after that I heard the news that he was sold. But we have other players.

“I’m happy for him, that he is playing well at Watford, but he was never considered in our squad.

Concern

“Does he have a point to prove? Maybe, but I don’t think he will have special motivation.”

Pellegrini expects to sign Samir Nasri on January 1 after the former Manchester City midfielder completed his 18-month doping ban – and is also keen on former Cardiff man Gary Medel, who is currently at Besiktas.

But Jack Wilshere’s latest injury setback is still a concern, with Pellegrini admitting he does not know when the midfielder will be fit.

Wilshere has managed just five minutes on the pitch since September because of problems with both ankles.

There are fears the former England international will need more surgery.

Pellegrini said: “We need to wait for the medical assessment, so we will know properly in the next days, but in this moment, we cannot be sure.”

Striker Marko Arnautovic is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a hamstring injury and could face Southampton on December 27 or Burnley three days later.