West Ham United have been dealt with a bitter blow as their star man Michail Antonio pulled out of his international duty with England due to a hamstring injury.
The forward suffered the problem during the Hammers’ 3-2 defeat to Leicester City last week and the club announced late on Sunday evening that he would be withdrawing from the England team that gears up to face Germany and Lithuania. The 26-year old who has scored 9 goals for the Hammers this season is expected to be ruled out for close to a month.
This comes as a major blow to Slaven Bilic after midfield mainstay Pedro Obiang injured his ankle in the same game and was carried off on a stretcher. And it has now been confirmed that the Spaniard, who has been one of their most consistent performers, will miss the rest of the season.
In the same match, West Ham had also lost defender Winston Reid to an adductor injury in the first-half. The New Zealand international is expected to undergo a scan later this week, but could be unavailable at least for four to six weeks at the minimum.
The three join captain Mark Noble and Diafra Sakho on the treatment tables, along with Gokhan Tore and Angelo Ogbonna. While Noble is expected to recover by the time the international break is over, Sakho is set for a return in mid-April. On the other hand, Tore and Ogbonna have been ruled out for the rest of the season.
With so many first-team players unavailable for Bilic, he will be sweating over the situation, especially considering the fact that Burnley and Leicester City piling on the pressure from below. With all the injuries at hand, here is how West Ham could line up once the Premier League returns to action post the international break:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Darren Randolph (GK)
In goal, Randolph has made 18 appearances this season after having missed a good chunk of games early in the season and is the first-choice ahead of Adrian. Will keep his place.
Sam Byram (RB)
The right-back position is something that has been troublesome for West Ham this season, but Bilic has stuck with 23-year old defender Sam Byram over the recent weeks and it should continue.
Jose Fonte (CB)
The Portuguese has failed to make an impact after his arrival in January. But given the lack of options at hand, he will keep his place in the line-up.
James Collins (CB)
With Winston Reid out injured for at least close to a month, it will be long-serving defender James Collins who will get a look-in.
Aaron Cresswell (LB)
Arthur Masuaku is fit again, but we expect Aaron Cresswell to continue to feature at the left side of the defence.
Cheikhou Kouyate (CM)
In the middle of the park, the hard-working Cheikhou Kouyate will continue. The 27-year old has played in multiple positions for West Ham this term and has been one of their most consistent performers.
Edimilson Fernandes (CM)
With the brilliant Obiang ruled out for the rest of the season, it could mean more game time for Edimilson Fernandes. The 20-year old has given a decent account of himself when called upon and will be the ideal alternative for Obiang.
Robert Snodgrass (RW)
And on the right-flank, with Antonio unavailable for a month, it will be a toss-up between Sofiane Feghouli and Robert Snodgrass. But we expect the former Hull City man to get a run in the starting XI ahead of Feghouli.
Manuel Lanzini (CAM)
Through the middle it will be Manuel Lanzini. The Argentine has been brilliant in recent weeks and has taken over the mantle of their chief creator this season. He will have a huge role to play in the final run in of the season.
Andre Ayew (LW)
On the opposite flank, we expect Andre Ayew to continue in the line-up. The Ghanaian has had his share of injury woes this season, but will be hoping to make a valuable contribution at the business end of the season.
Andy Carroll (ST)
And spearheading the attack will be injury-prone striker Andy Carroll. The 28-year old is enjoying a good run of fitness and will be hoping to add to his tally of six league goals this season.
Here’s how they will lineup:
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