West Ham manager David Moyes has admitted there is a ‘big problem’ ahead of the clash with Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup.
The Hammers travel to Aggborough to face the National League North side, hoping to book a place in the next round.
However, the Scot admitted during a pre-match press conference that Jamaican striker Michail Antonio is unlikely to feature for the Hammers.
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"I think you can see what we did against Leeds, we were very strong. The players are well-rested, but I also have to say that we have a Premier League game in midweek as well, so that has to come into consideration."#KIDWHU
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 4, 2022
The biggest problem is that the scheduling of the games is very tough for the people who are doing it.. Everybody is trying to squeeze games in and the people who get affected are the players first and foremost, but if you’re a club paying the wages, you’d be saying it’s hardly correct to be getting your player back at 11am on a Friday morning to be playing on a Saturday.
Antonio provided one assist whilst playing 220 minutes for Jamaica as the Caribbean nation fell to defeat against Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica over the break.
So far this season the 31-year-old has directly contributed to 17 goals in 26 appearances for Moyes’ side.
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There is definitely an irony in Moyes lamenting Antonio’s workload having failed to sign a backup striker throughout a month-long January window.
Whilst the talismanic ace’s absence may not damage the Irons’ hopes of overcoming Kidderminster, it does act as a concern for what could come further down the line.
Without suitable cover for the £10.8million valued man, West Ham may struggle to maintain what has been a superb first half of the season.
