Sunday, April 8

More Antonio woe

The euphoria of the victory over Southampton has rather eclipsed the bad news that Michail Antonio is out for the rest of the season. He's having another hamstring operation after shooting against the Saints and pulling up after nine minutes. Michail's injury record is starting to look very worrying. He was West Ham's best player last season, scoring nine goals and getting picked in the England squad. But after getting injured against Leicester (and being kept on for 90 minutes) with nine games to go, he was rushed back against Arsenal at the Emirates, injured again, and has never fully recovered. 

This season he has also had rib and knee injuries. Antonio was starting to show some of his old sharpness again having scored at Anfield and Swansea, but now he's effectively lost a whole season. His injuries have been unlucky for both Slaven Bilic and David Moyes, as a fit Antonio might have seen West Ham up in the top half where Newcastle are now. Antonio relies on pace and the worry is that if this continues he won't ever be the same player again. At least the close season will soon be here and with it a chance to rest him fully and try to get Michail back to full fitness for next season.

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