West Ham may have to begin next season without Michail Antonio.
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio celebrates
West Ham winger Michail Antonio says he is unable to guarantee he will be fit for the start of the 2016/17 season.
Antonio signed a new contract at West Ham yesterday, committing his future to the club until 2021.
He is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and it is a serious one which will hamper his pre-season.
England’s Michail Antonio
Speaking to the official club website, Antonio says he may only be recovered for late August, rather than the beginning of the campaign.
He said: “The rehab is going well, right now I’m still on the crutches and will be for the next week and after that I’ll be off them.
“I’ll start doing some strength work for the next two, three, four weeks, then I’ll be outside doing running and I’ll be in and out of training to get my way back in for the start of the season.
“It’s either I’ll be back for the first couple of games or, the worst case scenario, I’ll be back fully available for the team after the international break at the end of August.”
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio in action with Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin
Antonio, 27, scored nine goals and provided three assists before sustaining his season ending injury and the club’s medical staff will be doing everything they can to try and get him up to speed by the start of the next campaign.
Even so, Antonio has given the club’s hierarchy forewarning that he may not be back in time and West Ham should not rush him.
Getting Antonio tied down is key for the club moving in the right direction but they need to bolster their ranks by adding quality new signings who would help them further kick on.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
