Manuel Pellegrini spoke to reporters today, and suggested that Winston Reid could be back involved with first-team training next week.
The 31-year-old centre-back hasn’t played a competitive game for the Hammers since March 2018.
It has been a long road back for the New Zealand international. He is obviously still a long way from starting for West Ham’s senior side, but he will be pleased with his progress nonetheless.
Before Reid got injured, he was widely considered to be the Hammers’ best central defender.
Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena arrived in the summer of 2018, however, further obstructing the 31-year-old’s path back into the starting XI.
Hammers fans will still be delighted to hear the news that Reid is close to returning to action, however. West Ham have really missed his calming, authoritative presence at the back.
Pellegrini spoke to reporters today, and suggested that the New Zealand international could be back next week, as quoted by the club’s official website:
“Winston Reid is recovering from his injury. I hope he will next week starting working with the squad. Probably the first game Winston will play will be with the U23s. It may be next week but it could be one week more.”
Reid’s impending return will be a real boost for Pellegrini. Diop and Balbuena have been nowhere near their best this season.
So having the experienced centre-back avaialable for selection again will give the West Ham boss another reliable option, should he wish to mix things up at the back.
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