David Moyes has confirmed striker Michail Antonio is a doubt for the West Ham game against Anderlecht after missing training.
West Ham welcome the Belgians to the London Stadium on Thursday night having beaten them 1-0 away last week.
That result, courtesy of a beautiful goal from Gianluca Scamacca, put West Ham firmly in control of Group B.
And victory over Anderlecht in east London will all but seal top spot and a place in the last 16 of the Europa Conference League.
That will be played over two legs in March, essentially meaning West Ham’s key players get a five-month break from European competition.
Scamacca has established himself as the number one striker at West Ham of late, leaving Antonio on the bench.
The Jamaican striker started in Europe last week, though, and was expected to do so again at the London Stadium fresh from scoring as a late substitute in the 3-1 win over Fulham at the weekend.
Ahead of the game the West Ham manager has been speaking to the press.
And Moyes has confirmed Antonio is a doubt for West Ham game against Anderlecht after missing training.
The Scot says his forward has picked up a virus and may not be available.
“I think most of the players are fine,” Moyes said in his pre-Anderlecht presser.
“Michail Antonio has a wee bit of a cold, which has kept him out of training for a day or two.
“So we’re a little unsure on him. We’ve got a couple of knocks and niggles but I think we’ll be okay.”
It will be a shame for Antonio if he does not make it.
And it will be interesting to see which way Moyes goes up front if Antonio is out for West Ham.
Does he risk Scamacca with another hugely important and winnable Premier League game at Southampton coming up?
Or does he go with something a bit different to keep the Italian fresh for Sunday.
We won’t have to wait long to find out.
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