West Ham manager David Moyes has confirmed Lucas Paqueta was withdrawn against Freiburg after picking up a knock in the first half of Thursday's 5-0 win.
The Brazilian was clearly frustrated when replaced by James Ward-Prowse after 62 minutes of the thumping Europa League win, having opened the scoring in the first half.
Moyes explained after the game that Paqueta picked up a knock in the first half and the original plan was to replace him at half-time, only to be convinced otherwise.
"He was injured in the first half, and he was unhappy at half-time as I was going take him off then," Moyes told TNT Sports
"But I said 'no, I'll keep you going' [for the second half], but then you start thinking about other games at the weekend and how we could protect him as best we could."
Moyes added on reporters: "He wanted to stay on at half time but I just felt as if we got the goal and I didn't see the point of risking him with a game on Sunday.
"I've got to make sure his injury wasn't going to get any worse. It's good, I like it when they don't like coming off. It shows you they care a wee bit!"
West Ham are next in action on Sunday as they host Aston Villa in the Premier League.
