David Moyes admits he does not know when Aaron Cresswell or Michail Antonio will return after they missed West Ham United’s Carabao Cup loss at Tottenham, via football.london.
The Irons exited the EFL Cup at the quarter-final stage on Wednesday night after losing 2-1 in north London. Steven Bergwijn put Antonio Conte’s side ahead before Jarrod Bowen hit an instant reply. But Lucas Moura soon fired past Alphonse Areola with the decisive goal.
This season marks the third time in six campaigns that the Hammers have reached the last eight of the competition. They had also exited at the quarter-finals in 2016/17 and ‘17/18.
West Ham will now look to put their disappointment of defeat to Tottenham in the past on Boxing Day. They host Southampton seeking only their second win in seven league games.
Moyes offers injury update on West Ham absentee Cresswell
Moyes, however, remains in the dark over if Cresswell or Antonio will feature when West Ham host Southampton, having sat out Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham.
Cresswell had already missed the Hammers’ past four Premier League fixtures and their last Europa League group stage tie. He last featured on November 28 at Manchester City, when a back injury forced Moyes to replace the full-back.
The 32-year-old returned to light training earlier this month and was touch and go to face Burnley on the 12th. But despite Moyes adding fresh hope ahead of West Ham visiting Arsenal, has remained without Cresswell and has no clear picture over when he will return.
“I don’t know, I can’t give you an answer,” Moyes said. “We are missing him.”
Cresswell had started each of West Ham’s first 13 Premier League games this season. He also played the full 90-minutes in each of their opening 12, before facing Manchester City.
Antonio return also in doubt after Tottenham defeat
Moyes also had to face Tottenham in midweek without West Ham’s lead striker, Antonio. And like Cresswell, does not know if the 31-year-old will be available to face Southampton.
“The answer is I don’t know,” Moyes added. “He has no symptoms and I have to say that he is double vaccinated. For all those things, hopefully we might have him back, yes.”
Moyes had rested Antonio in West Ham’s previous Carabao Cup fixtures with Manchester United and City before drawing Tottenham. He would likely have recalled the forward on Wednesday, however, despite his lack of form of late.
Antonio has not scored in his past eight Premier League appearances – or nine across all competitions. He last found the net against Spurs during the Irons’ 1-0 win at the London Stadium on October 24, for his sixth top-flight strike and seventh of the season altogether.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
