Exclusive: Long-time West Ham absentee tells friends he will be back in a month
Michail Antonio is convinced he will be able to make his West Ham comeback in a month, Football Insider has learned.
The versatile attacker, 29, underwent surgery in the middle of September on a torn hamstring amid fears he would be out until Christmas.
A West Ham source has told Football Insider that Antonio has told friends he can be back playing way ahead of schedule and is working towards being available for selection at the start of next month.
He has uploaded images and videos on his social media accounts of being back at the club’s training ground as he works on his rehabilitation.
That was subsequently corroborated by the club, who generally take a cautious approach towards injury timescales under Manuel Pellegrini’s management.
The earlier-than-expected return of Antonio would be a welcome boost for Pellegrini and his coaching staff.
His versatility and ability to play a number of roles makes his a key squad man, while he is also a regular scorer and creator of goals.
Antonio has scored 28 goals and provided 18 assists in 132 matches for the club since signing from Nottingham Forest in 2015.
In other West Ham news, it can be REVEALED that the club are readying talks to sign new player after permission granted.