Michail Antonio doubtful for West Ham United clash v Newcastle United
West Ham could be without Michail Antonio, Aaron Cresswell and Ben Johnson for the Premier League clash with Newcastle on Sunday.
The Hammers trio missed the Europa League win over Freiburg on Thursday night due to injury as they claimed a big 2-1 win in Germany.
And Moyes has confirmed that the two defenders are unlikely to recover in time for the clash at the London Stadium against an in-form Magpies side, but Antonio’s availability will be decided closer to the game.
“I will need to see [if Michail is available]. He’s not trained yet,” he said in his pre-game press conference (6 October).
“He has done some running with the medical team, so over the next couple of days we will see if he is able to play.”
Blow
West Ham have been fantastic this season undoubtedly, and the only defeats we’ve suffered are against Manchester City and Liverpool.
A big reason for those positive results has been the excellent form of Antonio, who has seen renewed confidence this season after Gianluca Scamacca’s exit and his reinstatement as the first-choice striker ahead of Danny Ings.
But if he is unable to shake off this adductor injury issue then we will miss his physical presence in attack, and his willingness to run in behind and into the channels which gives space for other players like Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.
Cresswell and Johnson’s absences aren’t nearly as big a blow considering the form of Vladimir Coufal and Emerson Palmieri, plus having Thilo Kehrer to fill in if needed too.
Moyes will have to come up with a plan without these guys, and it could open the door for Mohammed Kudus to go into a central role where he can make an impact against one of Europe’s best teams.
In other West Ham news, three-cap England international wanted at London Stadium in £40m move.