Injury update: Ogbonna’s return match targeted

Angelo Ogbonna is this morning being tipped to return to the West Ham squad that will face champions, Chelsea, at the Boleyn on the 24 October.

The former Juventus central defender pulled his hamstring in the 2-0 win over Newcastle and was thought to be out for around four League games. This would have meant a return against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

But although he is making decent progress, the plan will be to ensure he is not rushed back before he is 100 per cent fit – an underlying keynote of Slaven Bilic’s management style, as shown with Andy Carroll.

And ClaretandHugh was told this morning: “He would probably be ready in time for Selhurst Park, but we aren’t into taking chances. Slaven is very careful with the injured lads .”

Our source pointed out that with James Tomkins performing so well alongside Winston Reid, at the heart of defence, there is ample cover at the moment and there is no reason to become over anxious about the situation.

Indeed Ogbonna could return just a week before Alex Song is fit to make his seasonal reappearance, as Song is targeting the Watford away match for his eagerly awaited comeback.