OPINION
The return to full fitness of West Ham United utility man Michail Antonio has been fantastic to watch over the past couple of weeks.
He came off the substitute’s bench against Tottenham Hotspur and helped get the Hammers back into the game by scoring their first goal in the 3-2 defeat, while he had a strike disallowed in the 1-0 win over Chelsea last time out, as well.
However, it appears that disaster may have just struck where the 29-year-old is concerned. Football Insider reported on Tuesday that Antonio is a major doubt for Wednesday’s clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers due to a slight groin strain.
The Englishman will undergo a late fitness test, but Manuel Pellegrini and co. are thought to be doubtful that he’ll end up featuring at Molineux.
That’s news that will surely have the West Ham fans pulling their hair out. Antonio was terrific against the Blues, while his impact on the team in general has been fantastic to see.
He led the line on Saturday and performed very well. As per WhoScored.com, the former Nottingham Forest man managed three shots – two of them on target – and three successful dribbles, on his way to a WhoScored rating of 7.42.
Against Spurs, that rating was even better at 7.76, despite playing just 45 minutes. Sebastien Haller lost out against Chelsea, but it proved to be an inspired decision from Manuel Pellegrini. However, if Antonio doesn’t make it for Wednesday then the Chilean will be forced to recall the woefully out-of-form Frenchman.
So this report is a real blow to the Hammers, and it could be the difference between them getting anything at Molineux or not.
