---
title: "Michail Antonio in contention to return v Southampton"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2020/12/28/michail-antonio-injury-latest-return-southampton/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2020-12-28T18:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-12-28T18:00:00Z"
---

# Michail Antonio in contention to return v Southampton

Often the man with the exclusive, [West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2020/12/28/west-ham-scout-rico-henry-brentford-transfer-rumours/) insider ExWHUemployee has given Hammers supporters a boost ahead of the trip to the south coast to face [Southampton](https://readsouthampton.com/2020/12/28/saints-fans-debate-whether-ibrahima-diallo-should-keep-his-place/) on Tuesday.

Speaking on his [West Ham Way podcast](https://www.patreon.com/posts/antonio-boost-45512602), Ex has claimed that [Michail Antonio](https://readwestham.com/2020/12/21/darren-bent-welcomes-michail-antonio-contract-extension/) is back in contention to play a part for David Moyes’ side after a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

The 30-year-old forward was originally[ruled out with a hamstring problem](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/29/west-hams-michail-antonio-out-for-a-month-with-hamstring-tear) he picked up against Manchester City two months ago before returning too soon and aggravating the same problem against Aston Villa at the end of November.

Antonio had made a [strong start to the new season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/michail-antonio/leistungsdaten/spieler/104124) before his latest injury setbacks and is likely to feature from the start as soon as possible, with [Sebastien Haller largely failing to impress](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sebastien-haller/profil/spieler/181375) during his recent run of starts.

The Ivorian striker has had his moments recently, [that wonder goal against Crystal Palace](https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/sebastian-haller-scores-west-ham-crystal-palace-259073) in particular, but his failure to put together even a double salvo of consistent performances will ultimately cost him his place in the starting lineup.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Moyes will certainly not be rushing his talisman back this time after [what happened in November](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn9B155DHwM&feature=onebox) when Villa came to the London Stadium.

That said, the former Nottingham Forest man’s return to the matchday squad would act as a great plus for the Hammers on [one of the busiest weeks of the season](https://www.whufc.com/fixtures/first-team/fixtures-and-results) and could even motivate Haller to show his best form, knowing that Antonio is breathing down his neck to take his place.