West Ham forward Lucas Perez has denied reports he refused to go on as a substitute against Everton.

The Irons secured a first Premier League win under new boss Manuel Pellegrini at Goodison Park on Sunday, during which television replays appeared to show Perez, who had just finished his warm-up, not wanting to enter the field of play after Marko Arnautovic had sustained a knee injury in the second half.

Perez said in a statement posted on Twitter: “Given the false information spread by the media that has affected my image, I am obliged to explain the only truth, I have never ever refused to warm up in my whole career, let alone play a match.”

Perez is goalless after three appearances this season.