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Don Hutchison gives West Ham new hope over Manuel Lanzini injury return

Manuel Lanzini of Argentina during the International Friendly between Argentina and Italy at Etihad Stadium on March 23, 2018 in Manchester, Englan...
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West Ham United have been given fresh hope over Manuel Lanzini’s return from a serious knee injury by former player Don Hutchison.

Manuel Lanzini of Argentina during the International Friendly between Argentina and Italy at Etihad Stadium on March 23, 2018 in Manchester, England.

West Ham star Lanzini misses the World Cup and many feared he would be out for up to a year after injuring his ACL in training with Argentina.

It is a bitter pill to swallow for the Hammers and new boss Manuel Pellegrini after Lanzini required an operation after the injury to his Anterior Cruiciate Ligament in pre-World Cup training with Argentina.

While some fans saw the fact it meant West Ham would not sell Lanzini as a positive, it also means they will be without him for much of Pellegrini’s first season.

Manuel Lanzini of Argentina takes part in a training session as part of the team preparation for FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 at FC Barcelona 'Joan Gamper' sports centre on June 7, 2018 in...

The little jewel had his operation in Barcelona over the weekend and will now focus on his recovery with supporters fearing they won’t see him at all next season and that he won’t be the same player when he does return.

But West Ham have been given real hope he could be back by the new year by former star Don Hutchison, who suffered the same injury back in his Hammers playing days.

“Yea I had a full rupture of my ACL,” Hutchison said on Twitter when asked about his and Lanzini’s injuries.

“Took me 10 months in total. The rehab is brutal.

5 Dec 2001:  Darius Vassell of Aston Villa holds off Don Hutchinson of West Ham during the FA Barclayard Premiership match between West Ham United and Aston Villa at Upton Park, London....

“Players now can be back in six-eight months I reckon.”

And when asked whether he felt the same player when he did return, Hutchinson responded: “Na players are fine nowadays.”

Hammers fans will be delighted with Hutchison’s assessment of the timescale of Lanzini’s return to action.