Exclusive: Frank McAvennie ‘concerned’ about injury update on West Ham star Antonio
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie is “concerned” about Michail Antonio’s injury with the West Ham forward looking unlikely to play again until January.
According to reliable West Ham insider ExWHUemployee, Antonio “was targeting a return for the Chelsea game” on Monday night. However, “it appears that he is likely to miss his own deadline and a January return is much more likely”.
The 30-year-old has been struggling with a hamstring injury for most of the Premier League season.
He was forced off early against Tottenham and Manchester City in October before missing three matches with his setback.
David Moyes then started Antonio against Aston Villa on November 30, but the forward lasted just 45 minutes before being taken off and has missed the three matches since.
McAvennie believes Antonio was rushed back for the meeting with Villa but doesn’t think Moyes will make the same mistake again this time.
“I’m concerned,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“It sounds like he came back too early but the manager will want him back. He’s a good player, he makes a lot more runs than Haller.
“He’ll be careful this time though.”
Moyes doesn’t have to rush Antonio back.
The former Nottingham Forest player has missed six Premier League matches this season and the Irons have won 50 per cent of those games. With him in the side, their win percentage is 42 per cent.
We’re not saying that West Ham are better off without Antonio because that simply isn’t true. He’s one of the hardest-working players in Moyes’ squad and his ability at getting on the end of crosses is second-to-none in the Irons’ squad.
But it’s pretty clear that the team is capable of winning games without him.
Sebastien Haller is standing in for Antonio while he’s injured and although the Ivory Coast international has his critics, you can’t deny that he steps up with a moment of magic every now and then.
His goals against Sheffield United and Crystal Palace were phenomenal while his aerial ability really helps the Hammers get the ball up the pitch and relieve pressure on their defence.
In other West Ham news, this player has said goodbye to his team-mates ahead of a January move to the London Stadium.