Manuel Lanzini, Michail Antonio and James Collins are unlikely to return from injury until after the International break on 14th October when West Ham take on Burnley while Edimilson Fernandes and Pedro Obiang could both be fit and available for selection this weekend.
Manu Lanzini looks ready to make his long-delayed return to action on the bench at Burnley after the international break but there is an outside Bilic could be tempted to add him to the bench on Saturday.
Slaven Bilic is desperate to inject Lanzini’s pace and creativity into the team but will weight up the risks and listen to his medical team.
Lanzini has been sorely missed in our slow start to the season and can’t wait to get back into action but head medic Gary Lewin is unprepared to take a chance on such a key player.
However, Obiang and Fernandes are expected to make his return against Swansea after suffering a muscular injury and there’s a chance that James Collins will be fit for the trip to Turf Moor.
Michail Antonio will be available for the game against Burnley immediately after the international break.
Early fears that Antonio had suffered a hamstring injury were shown to be unfounded after the game and Claretandhugh was told this morning that the issue is with his groin. But we were told: “He should be okay after seven days and available for the game at Turf Moor. It’s a big relief as obviously it was worrying.”
Looks like they have given Bilic the benifit of the doubt, until he gets a fit first team.
That means he has at least unitl the Burnley game to start winning and some games after. I suppose, it will be the first time we have a fit Lanzini, Read, and Antonio in the same team, this season. With that no other player will be a definite starter.
why do you think they have given Billic benefit of doubt,he won’t be sacked.Do you really believe our owners will pay him off and then pay someone else ,never going to happen they would be happy with 17th that is more than possible for this squad
Actually I don’t think he has a mega release clause of any kind. They only have to pay up his contract, and there is only 9 months left of that. Unlike this time last year, I’m sure they can afford to unload him now.
They could afford to do it at anytime,just think they are too tight to pay 2 managers to do the same job,zero ambition from owners other then survival
What with all of these injuries, I’m waiting for the wolves to start circling around Lewin next!
We all knew the squad was to thin especially with creativity in midfield especially when Manny got injuries and its happened already with Antonio and Manny out at the same time we are not half the team …its awful decision making by the powers that be ..it ****es me off cuz it was so obvious it would happen
If we had players good enough to step into ANT and Manu’s shoes, they wouldn’t suffer sitting on our bench I don’t think.