Stuart Pearce shares major West Ham update on Michail Antonio
West Ham United made it through their Carabao Cup clash against Manchester United with a big 1-0 win.
It won’t get any easier in the next round though, with a game against their near rivals City awaiting us in October.
David Moyes may be tempted to name a stronger side for that one, with the likes of Michail Antonio not featuring last night despite being available.
Antonio was suspended against United in the Premier League after his red card, and despite returning for selection, was left at home.
Stuart Pearce was speaking after the game at Old Trafford last night, and shared a major update ahead of the clash with Leeds on Saturday.
“He was fit for tonight, we just decided not to use him,” he said.
Get him in.
After Antonio’s injury worries last season and beyond, it looks to have been a very smart decision to give him that extra game rest.
The Jamaican international will now be raring to be unleashed against Leeds, and it could be the perfect game for him to return to at Elland Road.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men have a defensive crisis of their own, and that has led to some fragility at the back and who better than Antonio with his strength and power to take advantage?
It worked perfectly last night with the Hammers resting almost their entire first XI and still coming away with the win.
Now it is time to go to do the same in the Premier League and make it the perfect week after our first loss last weekend.
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