West Ham have been handed a massive boost ahead of their showdown with Brighton after Crysencio Summerville declared himself fit and ready to return overnight.
All the talk ahead of West Ham’s trip to Brighton has been around the fitness of Crysencio Summerville.
The Dutch winger has been a huge miss during his latest injury layoff, which has seen him miss West Ham’s games against Bournemouth, Liverpool and Man United.
Summerville has proved to be key for the Hammers’ hopes of Premier League survival.
The winger’s pace on the counter attack is not only crucial to how Nuno Espirito Santo wants West Ham to play, but it is also important to captain Jarrod Bowen.
Summerville a big miss for West Ham and Bowen
West Ham’s lack of depth in attacking positions means without Summerville in the side, Bowen is the team’s only threat.
As a result, the opposition simply double up on Bowen, making him easier to mark and West Ham easier to stop.
It is perhaps no coincidence that exhausted Bowen’s worst run of form since he signed for the club has come during Summerville’s most recent absence.
There have been fears Summerville had suffered a major setback after spending the first eight months of the year on the sidelines following an operation on a serious hamstring injury.
Leeds have piled pressure on West Ham’s survival chances by beating Chelsea and drawing with Liverpool in the last few days.
The Hammers responded with a deserved 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Now they know a 2-0 win over Brighton will not only take them out of the relegation zone but above both Leeds and Nottingham Forest above them.
Ahead of the Sunday afternoon game at the Amex, both Nuno and Summerville hinted the winger is close to returning for West Ham.
Summerville declares himself fit for Brighton
But they were also both non-committal regarding Summerville’s availability.
In fact reports have suggested the £26m man was more likely to be ready for the Aston Villa game next weekend.
Now there has been a huge boost for Nuno and the Irons.
Because vital West Ham star Summerville has declared himself fit for Brighton.
His availability could be pivotal as the Hammers look to regain some momentum and climb the table.
Overnight Summerville took to his Instagram Stories and posted a graphic of himself in action for West Ham laid over a preview for Brighton vs West Ham.
The graphic contains two pictures of Summerville playing for the Hammers, the respective club logos and the wording ‘Brighton vs West Ham, Amex Stadium, December 7 2pm’.
It is the graphic players post on social media ahead of matches to publicise the next game when they are playing.
Summerville’s graphic update is music to West Ham’s ears
The biggest hint yet that he is ready to return comes after Summerville – who is deeply religious – quoted Isaiah 60:22 – a biblical promise from the Old Testament – when dropping another clue he is close to a return.
“When the time is right, I the Lord will make it happen,” Summerville posted next to a cross on Instagram.
Summerville also posted a montage of clips of him in action for West Ham, a hint he is back fit and ready to go.
Summerville’s return brings the pace, creativity, and – hopefully – a cutting edge that could transform West Ham’s attacking threat on the south coast.
Whether he is named in the starting XI remains to be seen.
But don’t be surprised to see Bowen have his best game for a while if Summerville is indeed named on that team sheet when the sides are announced at 12.45pm.
Nuno Espirito Santo should risk starting Crysencio Summerville v Brighton. What do you make of his impact this season?
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