By West Ham Zone speaking to Frank McAvennie

31st Mar, 2022 | 1:41pm

Frank McAvennie: West Ham need to be slow with Angelo Ogbonna injury return

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…

Angelo Ogbonna is stepping up his return from injury but Frank McAvennie wants to see West Ham take extra caution with the Italian.

The 33-year-old has played just 11 games for David Moyes’ side this season having been out of action since early November when he was forced off against Liverpool.

But he posted a video on Twitter this week of him back in the gym and working towards getting himself fit for some of the climax to the season.

Claret and Hugh believe he could be back for the final few games of the season but McAvennie doesn’t want to see any risks taken unless necessary.

“He’s a different class of player,” McAvennie said exclusively to West Ham Zone. “The back four or five have been working really hard to get organised in training so it’s all good there.

“They need to slowly get him back in. 20 minutes here and there and he’ll still have a couple of reserve games to play.”

He certainly won’t be in the fold for Sunday’s game at home to Everton but with all other central defenders fit, there is absolutely no rush to bring him back into the team.

Kurt Zouma, Issa Diop and Craig Dawson have all filled the void left by the 33-year-old Italian with no real issues to note and Moyes will be more than happy to play any of them in any game if he has to.

In other West Ham news, these two Irons players are “almost certain” to be offered new deals according to the latest report.

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