Slaven Bilic has received some rare and welcome good news ahead of this weekend’s clash with Bournemouth.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
The Hammers have turned their season around in recent months stabalising in midtable.
While the gap to the likes of Everton is probably a bridge too far with just 11 games to go, Bilic’s side are in no danger of being dragged into a relegation battle.
A 2-1 defeat to runaway Premier League leaders Chelsea on Monday night saw West Ham drop to 11th.
But they can jump back up to ninth with a win away at the Cherries.
And their chances of doing just that have received a huge shot in the arm with some rare good news for Bilic in terms of team selection
That’s because Winston Reid, Andy Carroll and Michail Antonio will all return for the game at the Vitality Stadium according to West Ham’s head medical and sport science, Stijn Vandenbroucke.
Bilic with head of medical and sports science Stijn Vandenbroucke
Injury-prone Carroll took a bang to the face which twice required treatment off the pitch and appeared to go over on his ankle on his return from injury against Chelsea.
Winston Reid, another who has spent his fair share of time in the treatment room over the last couple of seasons, had to be substituted against Antonio Conte’s side.
And arguably West Ham’s player of the season so far, Michail Antonio, missed out through suspension.
But all three should be available come Saturday according to Vandenbroucke’s latest update on the club’s official website.
Back together again, Andy Carroll and Michail Antonio
“We picked up the normal bumps and bruises during the game on Monday, with Winston Reid coming off with a leg injury in the second half,” he told whufc.com.
“Winston has joined a recovery training today and we will work hard to prepare him for Saturday.
“As you will have seen, Andy Carroll suffered a cut to his face in an aerial challenge with Victor Moses. After treatment on the touchline, he was able to return to the action with no lasting ill-effects.
West Ham United’s Winston Reid had to come off injured against Chelsea
“Michail Antonio is also fit and training and will be available to Slaven after his one-match suspension.”
The Hammers recorded a memorable 3-1 win over Eddie Howe’s side last season inspired by Dimitri Payet and Enner Valencia.
Neither player is at the club now with Payet having forced a move back to Marseille and Valencia on loan at Everton.
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