West Ham face Brighton on Friday in the Premier League.
Mexican outlet Marca Claro have reported that Javier Hernandez has returned to West Ham United training and is fit to face Brighton on Friday evening – but he has another task ahead of him.
The 30-year-old striker has missed West Ham’s last four matches in the Premier League and Carabao Cup due to a virus, which forced him to remain at home rather than attend the Hammers’ Rush Green complex.
However, the report claims that Hernandez faces a fight to prove to Manuel Pellegrini that he deserves a place within the West Ham squad as the Hammers’ current attackers are currently performing at their best.
Indeed, the Chilean manager currently has at his disposal Michail Antonio, Marko Arnautovic and Lucas Perez, who have all impressed this season. Arnautovic especially, after scoring four goals in his six Premier League outings.
Hernandez, who signed a three-year contract worth £140,000 a week (Sky Sports) last summer – or £7.3million a year – has stuttered in claret and blue, scoring only nine goals in 38 league and cup appearances.
He is available for selection on Friday but being one of the club’s highest earners, he could face a struggle to prove his worth under Pellegrini.
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