Michail Antonio to make London Stadium return for West Ham v Newcastle
West Ham United are set to welcome Michail Antonio back onto the London Stadium pitch prior to facing Newcastle on Monday.
Antonio has missed the last three months of action in East London after suffering a broken leg in a car accident on 7 December, leaving West Ham deprived of their main striker for the forseeable future.
Since that accident in early December, there have been changes aplenty at the London Stadium, with Julen Lopetegui sacked and replaced in the dugout by Graham Potter, and an upturn in the Irons’ form.
Evan Ferguson has also been brought in on loan from Brighton to address a dearth of centre-forward options following Antonio’s injury, which was expected to keep the West Ham striker out for up to a year.
Michail Antonio to appear at West Ham v Newcastle
Antonio’s recovery from that lower-leg fracture continues in the background at West Ham, both at Rush Green and a 12-day warm weather training programme away in Dubai, which he’s recently returned from.
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Michail Antonio | 323 | 83 | 38 |
The Daily Mail have reported on 10 March that ahead of kick-off in the Irons’ Premier League meeting with Newcastle United on Monday, Antonio will be introduced to the crowd at the London Stadium.
It will be the first time that Antonio has appeared at a Hammers match since his accident in December, with fan group Ironworks Alliance set to display a banner showing their ‘love and support’ for the striker.
West Ham still missing Antonio influence up front
Although Ferguson was brought through the doors in the winter to help plug the gap up front for West Ham, the on-loan Irishman is yet to find the net from three substitute appearances in claret and blue.
Potter’s Hammers have won their last two matches against Arsenal and Leicester – keeping clean sheets in both – ahead of facing Newcastle, but the 49-year-old still faces a question over who to play up front.
Ferguson’s loan deal doesn’t include an option to buy, casting doubt over if he’ll become the long-term answer at the London Stadium, and West Ham already have their eyes on new strikers come the summer.
Turning 35 this month, Antonio has been relied on to get West Ham out of trouble for too long, and while his appearance on Monday will be welcomed by all, it’s a timely reminder that changes are still needed.