Has David Moyes just hinted Michail Antonio could be involved in West Ham squad for Chelsea?

West Ham United boss David Moyes appears to have hinted Michail Antonio could be involved against Chelsea.

Moyes has the perfect replacement for Masuaku right under his nose

Antonio was rushed back from his latest hamstring injury for the win over Aston Villa.

But West Ham’s star striker was well off the pace and suffered a new injury which has kept him out since.

Antonio signed a new West Ham contract yesterday (whufc.com).

And could he celebrate by making a surprise return to the squad against Chelsea on Monday night?

Team news is a closely guarded secret at West Ham under Moyes.

Antonio was initially expected to return for the game against the Blues.

But reliable insider ExWHUemployee claimed earlier this week that Antonio would likely be out until January.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Saturday morning, though, Moyes revealed Antonio is ‘back out on the grass’ training with the squad.

And the Scot says he has a decision to make as to whether the Chelsea game comes too soon for Antonio to be involved.

“Michy Antonio’s back on the grass and I’m pleased to see that,” Moyes told the press (whufc.com).

“I’ll need to assess whether it’s too quick for him.

“We’ve got a few knocks and niggles but that would be normal at this stage of the season.”

What happened when Antonio was rushed back for Villa may well put Moyes off this time around.

After Chelsea, the Hammers have six days until their next game, a home match against struggling Brighton.

So Moyes may be inclined to give Antonio more time in training before bringing him back into the mix.

But it certainly seems the striker is not too far away.

And that can only be a good thing with Sebastien Haller – despite his breathtaking overhead kick goal against Palace – blowing hot and cold.

Even if Antonio does make the squad for Chelsea, Haller will start the game as Moyes will not take the same risk he did against Villa.

What many West Ham fans want to see is the duo play up front together.

But that will give Moyes a headache when it comes to team selection elsewhere.