West Ham may get a massive boost this weekend with Manu Lanzini making a surprise return to the squad for the match against Swansea.
It had been believed the midfielder would be making his reappearance against Burnley at Turf Moor after the international break but Slaven Bilic is being tempted to include him on Saturday afternoon.
He has been troubled by knee injury all season so far but veteran reporter and Hammers fan Steve Stammers reports in the Mirror that he could now play his part after showing up well in training this week.
He is set to feature among the subs but could feature at some stage during the 90 minutes against the Welsh outfit.
And Stammers – who has great links to the club – says there are also hopes that quick healer Michail Antonio could be involved despite the early reports that he would be out until the Burnley game.
I hope they don’t take any chances with Lanzini or Antonio. They have already been used too early, and it means we end up losing them for even longer. Lanzini lasted about 2 minutes for his only appearance this season.
Yes my thoughts exactly mate. I get this horrible feeling that Lanzini is being built up into the star player we can’t do without. He is good & I would like him back when he is 100% but he still drifts out of games. Also he is beginning to build up a list of injuries. Although the squad is too thin there should be enough in it to put a decent side together without having to rush him back.
Agree with both of you. If if they are 100& I would wait bc we should be able to get 3 points at home to Swansea easily not saying will we but we should. I believe Ayew as done good against Swansea AC tends do well against them wonder what the formation will be but hive them the Intl break to get to full fitness.
Then you would think with a fit Antonio & Lanzini the 4 after Intl break we should really be able to win all Burnley are tough at Turf Moore but Feggo & Ayew Finished them off last season. Then we have Palace really w Swansea the next 5 games we should be able to get at least 9-10 out of 15. All really winable.
But yes not worth the risk
With the new head of medical saying that they are fit for the bench, that’s a positive. Whether SB plays them or not is another matter?
He ain’t stupid (SB). He knows if you rush them back it’ll just cause more dramas further down the line. But i can see them getting 15 – 20 minutes each. It would be wrong not to get them a little run out.
What worries me more is if they were called up to the international squads. Matters are then out of our hands and we can only hope and prey that the footballing gods are good to us for a change.