West Ham boss David Moyes spoke to reporters today, and confirmed that Michail Antonio has not recovered in time to be part of the squad for tomorrow’s clash with Sheffield United, as quoted by Football.London.
The 29-year-old missed the majority of the first half of the season with a hamstring injury, but returned to action in November.
Antonio then suffered a recurrence of the same injury after the Leicester game on December 28th, however. And he hasn’t played since.
The former Nottingham Forest man is so important to West Ham. His pace and power provides Moyes’s side with something that they do not otherwise possess.
Hammers fans would have been hoping that Antonio would be ready to face the Blades tomorrow night.
It appears as though that will not be the case, however.
Moyes addressed the media today, and ruled the 29-year-old out of the clash at Bramall Lane, as quoted by Football.London:
“Michail Antonio is still feeling his hamstring a bit and is unavailable for the game, we were hoping to have him back but he’s not quite ready.”
A trip to Sheffield United is tough enough as it is. But West Ham’s job will be made that little bid harder without the talismanic Antonio.
The Hammers must be organised and well-drilled against the Blades, if they are to have any chance whatsoever of returning to east London with a positive result.
A good result will give West Ham something to build on. And then hopefully Antonio will be fit for their next game against Everton.
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