West Ham’s players return to Rush Green from their various holiday destinations this morning with the injury list looking better than it has for some time.

But what about the other clubs battling with us against the drop. Bournemouth look by far the worst placed with six on their injury list and only Dale Stephens due back imminently.

The injuries generally could play a part in the battle for survival although obviously form and fixtures are equally important.

The Mirror published a full Premier League list f injuries this morning but for the purposes of this piece we are concentrating on those around us and whether their situation may give us even a remote edge.

Villa don’t look in the best of health whilst the remainder look in reasonable nick as we go into the most critical part of our season. 

At this point anything that may give us a slight advantage is to be welcomed – minimal though it may be,

ASTON VILLA

Tom Heaton – Won’t return until next season

Keinan Davies (thigh) – Out until early March

John McGinn (ankle) – Targeting the Carabao Cup final, but likely to return in mid-March

Ezri Konsa (thigh), Danny Drinkwater (calf) – Both fit for Tottenham clash on February 16

Jed Steer (calf) – No return date as yet

BRIGHTON

Jose Izquierdo (knee) – Closer to a return but still not available

Dale Stephens (thigh) – Likely to be fit for Crystal Palace game on February 22

BOURNEMOUTH

Arnaut Danjuma (ankle),

Lloyd Kelly (thigh),

Charlie Daniels (knee),

David Brooks (ankle), Chris Mepham (knee) – all ruled out with no return date yet

Dale Stephens (thigh) – Likely to be fit for Crystal Palace game on February 22

NORWICH

Timm Klose (knee) – Targeting a return in May

Ben Godfrey (suspended) – Back to face Liverpool this weekend

WATFORD

Ismaila Sarr, Kiko Femenia (thigh) – Both likely to be fit for Manchester United away on February 23

Daryl Janmaat (knee) – Out until the end of the month

Tom Cleverley (lack of match fitness) – Being assessed ahead of the weekend

WEST HAM

Andriy Yarmolenko (thigh), Felipe Anderson (chest) – Could return at Manchester City on February 19