West Ham’s Kouyate sends well wishes to Souare

West Ham United midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate has put London rivalry to one side and sent a get-well message to Crystal Palace defender Pape Souare.

Souare had to be cut free from his car after a motorway crash and was airlifted to hospital where he underwent surgery to a broken thighbone and fractured jaw.

Palace manager Alan Pardew has revealed he expects to be without Souare’s services for six months.

And Senegalese compatriot Kouyate admits his thoughts are with the 26-year-old.

(Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

“My message to Pape is that he needs to stay strong. We are praying for him and hope that he will come back stronger,” Kouyate said.

“It won’t be easy for him and he will need all of our support during his recovery.

“As a fellow Senegalese player, captain of the Senegalese side and a fellow Muslim, I will be behind him all the way, as will our fellow members of the Senegalese squad.”