Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that it is likely West Ham defender Winston Reid will return from injury on Wednesday evening.
The Hammers’ boss shared that the New Zealand international could feature for the under-23s when they welcome Wolfsburg to Rush Green in the Premier League International Cup on Wednesday.
Reid has been absent for more than 18 months with a knee injury at the London Stadium and has missed 53 games of action for the Hammers according to Transfermarkt.
“It is too long for him, more than one and a half years without playing,” he said as quoted by Claret and Hugh.
“He is a strong man, always working, I hope he will play without any problems for the U23’s.”
The 6’3″ enforcer [Transfermarkt] was meant to feature for the under-23s against Stoke City on Monday according to Evening Standard but was nowhere to be seen in the 4-0 victory.
OPINION
Given the fact that Reid was reported to be ready to feature against Stoke for the youngsters, Hammers’ fans should take this news from Pellegrini with a pinch of salt. The 31-year-old is towards the end of the most frustrating period of his entire career and will be raring to go should he be given the chance against either Norwich City or Wolfsburg this week in the academy side. Pellegrini will value Reid’s experience massively at the London Stadium, but with the players, he has available to him, it looks unlikely that he will get many chances in the Premier League this season. Both Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop have been exceptional in defence, and with Fabian Balbuena being placed on the bench, Reid is facing a longer road to the first team than just returning from injury. This is the first step after nearly two years in his recovery, and the Hammers will want to be careful with the New Zealander.