West Ham United sources share new Michail Antonio fitness update after David Moyes comments
Sources close to West Ham United have suggested that Michail Antonio is fit and ready to feature for the Hammers despite David Moyes’ recent comments, according to Claret & Hugh.
The outlet reported on its website on Wednesday (27 December) that a source close to the Hammers has suggested that the “truth” is, that Moyes would be unlikely to use the Jamaican international because of the form of Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus.
During his press conference ahead of the Premier League clash with Arsenal, the Scotsman stated that Antonio still wasn’t ready to return to first-team action as he continues to recover from injury, but Claret & Hugh believe he is fit and available.
Rather than publically state that the Jamaican international is currently out of favour, they have instead opted to suggest that he is still recovering from a knee injury picked up during the November international break.
Out of favour
It does seem odd that Antonio has been sidelined for as long as he has been for what was supposedly initially a minor issue that wouldn’t see him ruled out for too long.
The Jamaican international has been made to watch from the sidelines since November as the Irons have gone from strength to strength in the Premier League and it may well be the case that he has fallen down Moyes’ pecking order at the London Stadium.
But there seems to be very little benefit for any party involved if Moyes is lying about Antonio’s fitness just to save face and stop supporters from assuming the striker has become a spare part for the Irons.
Not only is it an unnecessary claim for the West Ham boss to make, but it also stops the Hammers from being able to move him on in the January transfer window teams will be reluctant to sign a player who is carrying an injury.
Hopefully, some clarity will emerge over Antonio’s situation in the coming weeks and days to stop this constant speculation around the West Ham man’s future.
In other West Ham news, Atalanta have tested the waters over a potential January switch for Hammers defender Thilo Kehrer