West Ham staff amazed as ‘new Michail Antonio return date set’
Michail Antonio has left West Ham United staff members “amazed” as a new return date has been set for the fan favourite.
Antonio was involved in a horror car accident in December and it looked uncertain at one point whether he would ever return to the playing field.
However, Antonio recently stepped up his recovery and is now back in London for the next stage of his rehabilitation.
And a new update has new emerged with regards to the Jamaica international’s return.
Antonio return latest at West Ham
Graham Potter recently suggested Antonio could return for West Ham before the 2024-25 campaign concludes.
According to Sean Whetstone, posting via his West Ham Football account on X [26 February], Antonio is “getting stronger each day”.
The report adds that those who have seen him train in the gym are “amazed at the progress” Antonio has made.
Antonio’s estimated return date is set at 18 to 25 May, which would indeed see him return to action just before the season finishes.
West Ham could do with Antonio
West Ham’s win at Arsenal was a massive lift for everyone involved with the East London club, but the Hammers have otherwise underperformed for too long.
Antonio being absent has not helped, with Julen Lopetegui being axed and replaced by Potter since the versatile forward has been sidelined.
| Player | West Ham goals (Premier League) |
| Michail Antonio | 68 |
| Jarrod Bowen | 50 |
| Paulo Di Canio | 47 |
| Mark Noble | 47 |
| Carlton Cole | 41 |
If this estimated return date is correct, Antonio has a chance of playing against former club Nottingham Forest on 18 May, and/or Ipswich Town on 25 May.
As unlikely as it seemed at one point, that now has to be the target for Antonio. If he can get back on the field before the summer, the off-season can then be used as a chance to truly get up to speed.
Antonio will just be grateful his life was not ended in the car accident – the initial images looked horrendous – and it is great that he is seemingly just a few months out from returning.
While he will not have much of an impact this season, Potter will be glad to have him involved in some capacity next season.