West Ham get major double boost over Kurt Zouma and Michail Antonio as David Moyes confirms return for Watford clash.
West Ham were facing two big doubts over Antonio and Zouma for the home game against Watford at the London Stadium as the Premier League resumes.
After the fortunate win over Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup, Moyes admitted he did not know what condition Antonio was in having not seen his striker since his return from Jamaica duty on Friday.
And West Ham hearts were in mouths when Zouma was seen screaming in pain having twisted his knee treading on the ball during extra-time on Saturday.
Given Zouma’s injury history West Ham fans were fearing the worst.
There was speculation Zouma’s injury might rule him out. But West Ham insiders Claret and Hugh claimed this morning that the defender has ruled himself fit to face Watford.
West Ham get major double boost over Kurt Zouma and Michail Antonio as David Moyes confirms return for Watford clash
And now Moyes has confirmed a major double West Ham with Antonio also back for the Watford clash.
“Michail’s back,” Moyes said in his pre-match press conference (whufc.com).
“Michail’s returned and has done a couple of days so we’re hoping he’ll be available…
“Every team’s got a quick turnaround in the Premier League.
“We played them (Watford) a month ago and got a really good result, but since then a lot has changed: they’ve brought in new players and a new manager.”
With Angelo Ogbonna out for the season and no new arrivals in January, Zouma’s importance to this West Ham side cannot be understated.
That was further underlined by the fact he was needed at the heart of defence for the entire 120 minutes of West Ham’s FA Cup win over Kidderminster.
Moyes had publicly stated he wanted to sign a striker and a left-sided centre-back in January.
Frustrations at West Ham’s inability to get the players Moyes wanted boiled over following an uneventful window.
So West Ham fans would not have been too sympathetic to the situation had Zouma or Antonio been forced out of what is a crucial game in the Hammers’s season with the club right in the mix for the European spots.
West Ham could move back up to fourth with a point against Watford depending on the result of Man United’s game at Burnley.
More West Ham news:
Astonishing new Bowen stat piles the pressure on Southgate.
Insider claims Moyes may have spoken too soon on Zouma injury.
Sinclair slams owners over transfers and tells them to watch video evidence.
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