Slaven Bilic denied he took a risk with Michail Antonio on Saturday but admitted he passed a fitness test.
Before the game internet rumours suggested Antonio had taken a knock in training and faced a late fitness test. Another rumour suggested he was only 70% fit but would be started to see how he got on.
Bilic was questioned on Antonio in his post-match interview and he told reporters.
“It’s a groin, he fell a bit. I just spoke to him, he didn’t pull it big time but we have to scan it first to see how big it is, how bad it is.
Challenged whether he took a risk in starting Antonio Bilic said: “No we didn’t. We were very cautious and he passed the test, not today but yesterday.
It was all clear, so we are not taking those kinds of risks here knowing that it can harm in in the long term, it just happened. It’s not the same spot as before.”
He did have a late fitness test but this his is groin just hope it isnt long term. Antonios Pace strength and presence is important and have seen h risked before and think Antonio knows now best not to take that risk bc had to end up getting surgery last time coming back early so if came off right thing to do. Better to lose him for game or 2 then 6-8 weeks