West Ham's current centre-back crisis is a "devastating blow" for David Moyes, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Hammers boss has just one fit central defender available for their Europa League semi-final first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday, although he'll have none against Arsenal on Sunday.

What's the latest news involving West Ham?

West Ham are gearing up for one of their biggest ever games later this week, although Moyes is having to deal with a serious crisis at the heart of his defence.

Already without Angelo Ogbonna, who suffered a serious knee injury against Liverpool in November and is facing a race against time to be fit again this season, Kurt Zouma then injured his ankle three days before the Lyon game and could also be sidelined for the rest of the campaign.

His absence allowed Issa Diop to come into the side for the 3-0 victory in France, but ankle ligament damage sustained against Burnley earlier this month has ruled him out for eight weeks, meaning he will also miss both games against the Bundesliga outfit.

Therefore, Craig Dawson, who was sent off against Chelsea and will be suspended for the visit of Arsenal this weekend, is Moyes' only fit centre-back, which Jones has described as "devastating" ahead of one of the most important games in the club's recent history.

What did Jones say about West Ham's centre-back situation?

He told GIVEMESPORT: "It's been a devastating blow to see these defenders fall down one by one, and you're in the situation where you're wondering if Declan Rice is going to end the season playing at centre-back."

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Who could start against Eintracht Frankfurt?

Against Chelsea, Moyes switched to a back three, starting Ben Johnson and Aaron Cresswell alongside Craig Dawson, with Vladimir Coufal and Arthur Masuaku as the wing-backs.

Sticking with a back three could be an option for Moyes, although playing a formation that his players are generally unfamiliar with might be seen as risky in a game of such importance.

Therefore, Moyes could be forced to drop Declan Rice back and play him in a back four with Dawson.

Rice has been a key player for West Ham in the heart of their midfield, but he would be the natural candidate to move back into a centre-back role, despite playing there just twice in the last four seasons.