Slaven Bilic says Hammer of the Year Michail Antonio is set to return ahead of schedule from injury and that Cheikhou Kouyate’s and Manuel Lanzini’s recoveries are also positive, but admits Andy Carroll remains ‘further behind’ in his rehabilitation.
Antonio suffered an horrific injury against Swansea in the final third of last season that required, but Bilic has praised the former Nottingham Forest forward as a ‘physical beast’ as he approaches his return to action.
“It was not just an injury but a big one.” said the Croatian speaking on whufc.com. “He was prepared to miss a couple of games and was and is ahead of schedule. He’s a good healer, strong, mentally strong, a hard worker and a bit of a monster also, physically!
“He is playing tonight and he should be in the squad, at least, for the game against Southampton. That was planned.” he added.
Bilic then touched upon the recovery of both Kouyate and Lanzini, who both suffered injuries during pre-season, saying the Senegal star is ‘way ahead’ of where he should be.
“He [Kouyate] and Manu Lanzini, who was our only other player to be injured in the pre-season, should be ready after the Southampton game, if not Newcastle, but certainly after the international break.”
The only remaining injury that has the Hammers boss discouraged is that to Andy Carroll, who Bilic admits is behind the others in terms of his return.
“Andy is a bit further behind but not a lot. At one stage in the pre-season or even last year, he was way behind but now it looks better. He is training individually, still, but he is basically doing all the movements with the ball and all that. If it continues like this, he should train with us next Wednesday.”
Carroll came under heavy criticism from West Ham fans earlier this summer when he was pictured out partying till the early hours whilst on holiday with his family.
