All eyes across the Atlantic tomorrow, as only the most dedicated Hammers fans might search for a view – however fleetingly – of one of their returning heroes.
In what will be an incredible story, just making it on to the pitch will be an achievement for Hammers’ number nine Michail Antonio. The fact that the Jamaica vs Guatemala fixture will be at 3 am British Summer time will certainly deter me.
Apart from the ‘human interest’ angle there is a serious side to the story of Antonio’s inclusion in the Jamaica squad.
His West Ham contract is ticking down and he will be without employment in just two weeks time. The three CONCACAF fixtures on 17th, 21st and 25th June offer Antonio a chance to show how far he has recovered and whether there really is any future for him at London stadium. If he doesn’t get onto the pitch, his international manager Steve McLaren will effectively seal his fate as an ex-Hammer.
Should Antonio get more than a minute or two’s cameo at the end of game three, he may yet prove all his doubters wrong and show enough agility and fitness to bag himself an improved short term or pay as you play deal: You really wouldn’t put it past him to grab a goal on his comeback which would seriously put the cat amongst the pigeons at West Ham.
I’ll just be pleased to see him running around, whatever the outcome for his career. As long as he makes it on- and off the pitch unassisted at the end, I’ll salute his resilience.