He is almost certain to have an operation next week after being nursed through recent games because of the injury.
To add to Harry Redknapp's woes, Fredi Kanoute, who earlier in the week was described as 50/50 to play, has been ruled out because of a hip problem.
John Moncur is also missing - which means the Hammers have a severely depleted midfield for the trip to Maine Road.
Raggy Soma has returned from midweek under-21 duty with Norway injured as well.
Physio John Fearn explains: "We are organising an operation for Frank as soon as we can; it is not horrendously serious, just something he has been trying to get through the last couple of months.
"He will need a few weeks rest and then he will be flying again; he will definitely make pre season. We don't have any qualms about the operation at all, it will definitely clear everything up and probably help him in the long term as well by reinforcing the groin.
"He's been resting for much of the weeks and we've managed it quite well, gradually getting him ready for the matches towards the end of the weeks and he has felt very sharp but getting more and more uncomfortable as the games go on.
"There's nothing majorly structurally wrong but it's not as if we have got an FA Cup final tomorrow.
"Any more games would have been putting him at more risk and it's too important for that.
"Fredi should be back next week; he just feels too sore to do a good job at the weekend, but he will definitely be okay next week.
"Raggy will need a few weeks to settle down, and John Moncur has got quite a nasty bone bruise from last weekend; he may get back from Middlesbrough but it depends how well it settles - it's down to nature taking it's course."
Whether Christian Bassila gets his first start in a West Ham shirt remains to be seen; Kaba Diawara will also be hoping for an opportunity to play.
Adds John: "Christian is absolutely fine after playing in the reserves midweek, and Kaba is okay too, and I would have thought some of the young lads like Michael Ferrante and Shaun Byrne will travel."
* Congratulations to Glen Johnson who scored for England U17's against Hungary after 20 minutes to give England a win to reach the quarter finals of the European Championship. The centre half rose to head home a corner before being taken off later with a head injury. He again won the man of the match award, due in part to a 60-yard run to set up a goalscoring opportunity.
** West Ham under-19s face Bristol City at Ford Sports and Social Ground, Newbury Park on Saturday, May 5 at 11.00am. The under-17s play their quarter-final play-off then, probably against Tottenham. On May 12, the under-19s face Reading at Ford United's Rush Green ground, kick off 10.30am.
*** Meanwhile, Moses Jjunju is the latest player to go out on trial, following hot on the heels of Terrell Forbes at QPR, where Tim Breacker is looking after the reserves after retiring from playing this week, and Jimmy Bullard, who added to his reserve goal for West Ham by notching for Peterborough reserves. Like those two, Moses is being released this summer, and is trying his luck at Brighton.