West Ham starlet Josh Cullen loses a tooth during goalless FA Cup draw at Shrewsbury as captain Mark Noble urges him to 'mind the gap'

West Ham's goalless FA Cup third round draw at Shrewsbury on Sunday would have no doubt been a kick in the teeth for David Moyes, however, it was also a painful result for Hammers youngster Josh Cullen.

The 21-year-old was making his first West Ham appearance of the season following the end of his loan spell at Bolton, but had his Hammers return dampened after a boot to the face saw him lose a tooth.

As he rose for a routine header on the halfway line, Cullen's head was met by the boot of Shrews opposition Abu Ogogo, which saw his tooth propelled from his mouth and on to the turf.

Josh Cullen's return to the West Ham first team was much rougher than he had expected

Josh Cullen's return to the West Ham first team was much rougher than he had expected

The 21-year-old was kicked in the head by Shrewsbury's Abu Ogogo during their FA Cup tie

The 21-year-old was kicked in the head by Shrewsbury's Abu Ogogo during their FA Cup tie

The blow forced one of his front teeth out of his mouth which flew onto the pitch

The blow forced one of his front teeth out of his mouth which flew onto the pitch

Cullen required on-field treatment, while one member of the medical team on hand collected his tooth from the pitch, but despite the blood pouring out of the youngster's mouth, he returned to the pitch - after changing his shorts - and finished the game.

However, as his tooth sat on the bench in a glass of milk, it has been reported that he may even face a trip to hospital.

With a trip to the emergency room on the cards, it's always good to have the support of your team-mates as well, a courtesy captain Mark Noble chose not to employ.  

'Mind the gap @JoshCullen8,' the Hammers academy graduate tweeted shortly after his team-mates' unfortunate incident.

His tooth needed to be recovered by one of the members of the West Ham medical team

His tooth needed to be recovered by one of the members of the West Ham medical team

The Hammers man was forced to change his shorts after the collision at New Meadow

The Hammers man was forced to change his shorts after the collision at New Meadow

Cullen returned after treatment to finish the game but may be required to go to hospital

Cullen returned after treatment to finish the game but may be required to go to hospital

The draw will force a replay at the London Stadium on January 16 or 17, an extra fixture Moyes could have done without. However, West Ham could arguably be considered lucky to have a replay to look forward to - with the home side boasting the better chances.

The Hammers, so far, are one of three Premier League sides with a replay to look forward, with Leicester, Swansea and last season's runners up also looking forward to another crack at their Football League opposition.