West Ham United defender Ben Johnson is fully fit and ready to face Cardiff City in the Welsh capital on Saturday, according to Claret & Hugh.
The exciting Hammers starlet made his first team breakthrough against Manchester City last Wednesday, but was ruled out of last Saturday’s win over Newcastle United due to a calf injury.
However, he is said to be back to full fitness and ready to play against Neil Warnock’s beleaguered Bluebirds if required.
The 19-year-old’s return is a big boost for manager Manuel Pellegrini, with Football London reporting on Monday that first choice left back Aaron Cresswell is a doubt for Saturday’s game.
OPINION
This is tremendous news for Pellegrini and for West Ham supporters everywhere. Johnson surprised everyone with his fantastically mature performance against City recently, where he rose to the challenge against Pep Guardiola’s expensively-assembled side and didn’t look out of place for one second. His return will be warmly welcomed as it gives the Hammers more options in defence. It also lessens the impact of Cresswell’s potential absence against Cardiff. The former Ipswich Town man is undoubtedly Pellegrini’s first choice at left back, but if he cannot play on Saturday then Johnson may get the nod. He’s obviously not as experienced as someone like Arthur Masuaku, but he showed against City that he is more composed and a better natural defender than the DR Congo international. No, the teenager should start in Cardiff if Cresswell doesn’t make it. Even if he doesn’t, though, the fact that he is now available again moving forward is wonderful news for West Ham.
