David Moyes has admitted that the Southampton game will almost certainly come too soon for Michail Antonio.
Asked by reporters whether Antonio would be in the squad after TV cameras picked him up warming up with the squad against Brighton Moyes said ‘I doubt it!’
The manager told reporters we are trying to get him back as he is very important to us but we are being led by the medical team’s timescales.
Moyes said he is getting close as his involvement in the post match warn down with the subs – and reported here – showed, but added that he has only recently started training with a football again
The gaffer said it was important to have no more damage to his hamstring but that he is getting closer to a return day by day.
The club is reluctant to take any sort of risk with the key player who was injured back on October 24 against Man City after scoring three goals in six appearances this term.
He made a first half appearance against Aston Villa but was hauled off when obviously far from match fitness.