West Ham manager David Moyes has confirmed that Michail Antonio remains a doubt for his side’s trip to Leeds United on Friday night.
Antonio missed the Hammers’ clash with Manchester United last weekend after only making his initial return a week earlier. The 30-year-old suffered another hamstring problem as he was replaced at half-time in the previous week’s victory against Aston Villa at the London Stadium.
He is the Irons’ third-highest scorer this season, although both Sebastien Haller and Jarrod Bowen have played significantly more minutes than him during an injury-hit campaign thus far. [Transfermarkt]
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Moyes confirmed that his talismanic frontman isn’t expected to feature in Yorkshire, saying: ”Antonio? Probably doubtful. He’s still recovering at the moment so, at this moment in time, I’d say he’ll be doubtful for the game.”
Moyes also highlighted one other doubt for the clash: ”Most of them are OK at the moment, we are waiting on Ryan Fredericks.”
The Irons manager has been dealt a favourable hand thus far with injuries by comparison to plenty of other Premier League bosses.
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Antonio wasn’t expected to be ready for this one, so his continued absence comes as little surprise. It is also no surprise Moyes has refrained from copying his opposite number Marcelo Bielsa in naming his starting lineup so far in advance of the game.
Haller is favourite to start in place of Antonio once more – the latest in a long line of chances to earn a consistent place as part of the Irons’ strongest XI.
However, Moyes does have opinions that would result in a slight change of tact should he wish. Bowen and Said Benrahma can both operate centrally, although neither offers the physical presence of Haller.
