Manuel Pellegrini has delivered a new update on his long term injured players and there’s some good news on Carlos Sanchez.
The Irons had been linked with Gary Medel as defensive cover for Declan Rice but that proved to be untrue according to our own sources at the London Stadium
Now it seems it will soon be provided by the the Colombian who is in line for a Hammers return before the end of the season.
Ironically, Pelle has admitted that Declan only got is chance in the role as a result of Sanchez’s knee injury saying: “ I decided to keep him in that position because also for the injury of Carlos Sanchez.
“I said at the beginning of the season that Declan can also play as a centre-back. Every game he is improving in that position. So, it’s not good for him in this moment to change. We don’t need him in defence because we have Diop, Balbuena and Ogbonna.
After my three or four games, during which I was trying to get to know all the players, I thought his best position for this season was as a holding midfielder.””
Sanchez has been suffering from the injury since the game against Macclesfield back in September but according to the boss will be working with the squad again from Monday onwards and getting some much needed match action.
Signed on a two year deal with all things being equal he may be available to provide cover in the defensive midfield position next season.
However, the news isn’t as positive for Winston Reid and Anriy Yarmolenko who won’t be seeing action until next season.
The boss told reporters: “Carlos Sanchez is a step forward, I think he will work with the squad next week. I think he can be involved in some games before we finish.
“Yarmolenko is working very well, he has no pain, he is running, kicking the ball, but maybe it will be too soon for him to play before we finish.
“Achilles tendon is one of the worst injuries you can have because you cannot go faster, you must exercise the ligament and then wait for month.
“To play this season I don’t think would be good for him, better to do a very good pre-season. If you return after a long injury you get muscle injuries.
“He must be calm and wait for next season working hard, and we will see the player that we brought because he is a very good player.”