By Jonty Banks

24th Jan, 2023 | 3:10pm

West Ham United: Michail Antonio January exit surely put to bed after Danny Ings injury news

West Ham United have been dealt a double blow with injuries to Gianluca Scamacca and January recruit Danny Ings recently, meaning the door has been left ajar for Michail Antonio to barge through.

David Moyes was dealt the crushing news that Ings would be out of action for between three and four weeks with a knee injury, just days after completing his £15million switch to the London Stadium.

This followed up the injury to marquee summer signing Scamacca, who, according to injury expert Ben Dinnery doesn’t have a return date after nursing a knee injury of his own.

This leaves just one fully fit centre-forward at the club, and a man who the Hammers had been linked with trying to offload this window: Michail Antonio.

Dharmesh Sheth previously reported earlier this month [19 January] that West Ham were willing to listen to offers for Jamaica international, who was attracting interest from fellow Premier League rivals Wolves [talkSPORT, 10 January], amid suggestions he was unhappy at the club.

But these plans have surely taken a stark u-turn following the double injury news, and reconciliation with Antonio must now be on the cards.

Taking to Twitter on Monday evening (23 January) talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook admitted he thought the Hammers would no longer look to release the striker this month.

He said: “Would imagine the Danny Ings injury puts paid to any thoughts Antonio had of leaving West Ham United this window.”

Coupling this injury news with Antonio’s return to form on Saturday against Everton – where he bagged a brace of assists – suggests he may well have an important role to play in the relegation dogfight this season.

Alongside Jarrod Bowen, the 32-year-old is the only option for Moyes to play down the middle, and if he can reignite the form that has seen him blast ten league goals in the last two seasons, then West Ham shouldn’t have any relegation doubts.