West Ham ready to give Angelo Ogbonna a new deal as report lifts lid on return date

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West Ham United are ready to hand star defender Angelo Ogbonna a new deal.

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That’s according to a report from The Athletic which also revealed when the Italian is likely to return to West Ham training.

Ogbonna has been sorely missed by the Hammers since injuring his ankle at Manchester United in February.

Ogbonna back to lead Hammers for the run-in?

Craig Dawson has been excellent on the whole but struggled against Arsenal while Issa Diop has continued to look suspect at times, particularly in the surrender to Arsenal last time out.

Ogbonna was again a leading contender for Hammer of the Year before his injury.

And he could return just in time to lead West Ham into Europe. That’s according to The Athletic which claims he will resume full training next week ahead of the game against Leicester.

“He is no longer wearing his protective boot and should return to full training ahead of the home game against Leicester City,” The Athletic reports.

New deal in the offing for Hammer of the Year contender – report

“Ogbonna turns 33 in May and his contract is set to expire at the end of next season, although The Athletic can reveal West Ham have the option to extend it by a further year.

“Ogbonna, who joined from Juventus in 2015, was part of Italy’s squad for the European Championship in 2016 and those close to the defender say he has his sights set on being in the squad once more this summer.”

West Ham face Wolves on Easter Monday in a game that is key to keeping their Champions League ambitions alive.

Five or six wins needed to make Champions League dream come true

West Ham currently trail fourth-placed Chelsea by just two points with nine games to go.

But it looks set to be a five-team battle for one spot.

The Hammers must aim to earn between 65 and 68 points to claim fourth place – the equivalent of five or six wins from their last nine.

Moyes’s boys have proved they have the quality and consistency to do it.

And having Ogbonna back for the run-in could make all the difference for West Ham.

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