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Moyes reveals how humble Antonio earned recall

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David Moyes has revealed that Michael Antonio’s apologies and humility for disciplinary  breaches have ensured his  bid for  a recall to the squad for today’s match at  Brighton.

Moyes revealed: “Michail was great, he came and saw me right before the Palace game to tell me that he was really sorry and that he was usually very punctual, but he was late twice in a week.

“One was a training, and we give the players plenty of leeway to get in for training, so it’s not as if they don’t get plenty of time.The game one, he didn’t turn up at the right location and he didn’t turn up on time, so it’s as simple as that.

“It’s got to be something that everybody at the Club understands. It’s not going to be any other way. It’s going to be done correctly or it’s not going to be done at all. If they don’t do it correctly, they won’t be involved or they won’t play or they’ll fined regularly.

“To be fair, let me tell you he was massively regretful after and we need him and we want him back, because he is important to us.”

And Antonio said: “I am not making excuses for myself, I was late. I agree with what the manager did. I was late for a meeting, he dropped me from the squad. I understand that to the fullest. I spoke to him and apologised.

“But I’m always on time. I love to be on time. The problem arose through confusion and it’s down to the fact I have been injured. Before I got injured we met at a hotel before games. While I was out it switched to the stadium. I turned up at the hotel where we met all the time under the previous manager Slaven Bilic.

“I simply went to the hotel instead of the stadium. It’s not like I didn’t wake up in time. That’s where there has been some confusion. I went to the hotel because that’s where we met under Slaven and in the few games I have played under David Moyes.

“The manager wants a tight ship, is not letting anyone slide and that’s how it happened. Ultimately, I agree with what he did though. I was in the wrong and he made a decision.”

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

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