Winston Reid is set to return to action for West Ham’s U23s on Monday evening, according to the Evening Standard.
The 6’3″ defender has been sidelined for 19 months with a knee injury, and hasn’t played competitively for the Hammers since March 2018.
As a result, the 31-year-old had to have surgery, and has suffered several setbacks in his recovery, but is expected to appear for the Irons’ youth side against Stoke City.
If he comes through that game unscathed, he is expected to return to first team training.
OPINION
This news is long overdue, and will no doubt be welcomed by West Ham fans. Prior to his injury, Reid was a key member of the Hammers’ side, and a real leader on the pitch. In his last full season of competitive action, he averaged 2.7 interceptions and 8.1 clearances per game, as per Whoscored, and achieved a match rating of 7.08. If he can recapture that kind of form, then he would certainly be an asset to this Hammers side, but the operative word is, of course, if. At the end of the day, Reid has been out for an eternity, and you don’t just immediately spring back into action after such a lengthy spell in the treatment room. Moreover, at 31 his best days are probably on the wane, and while he may still be able to do a job here and there, it will remain to be seen whether he can actually cut it week in, week out.
