West Ham's Michail Antonio to miss start of the season but ahead of schedule, confirms Slaven Bilic

On the mend: Michail Antonio is ahead of schedule
West Ham United via Getty Images
Tom Dutton27 July 2017

Slaven Bilic has said Michail Antonio will miss West Ham's first game of the season against Manchester United.

Antonio's 2016/17 campaign ended in April when he suffered a hamstring injury in the early stages of a crucial victory over Swansea. He subsequently underwent surgery.

But the 27-year-old, voted Hammer of the Year last season, signed a new four-year deal at West Ham in May and has been working towards a return to first-team football since.

Both Antonio and team-mate Andy Carroll were left out of the squads for pre-season trips to Austria and Germany, but are fighting for full fitness.

“Michail and Andy are in London," said Bilic, speaking during the club's pre-season trip to Germany.

“He [Antonio] is ahead of the plan."

“The plan is for him to miss the first game of the season.”

The West Ham manager's update on Carroll was less optimistic, however.

He added: “Andy is still not able to train with the team but he is working hard at Rush Green with the physios."

“I am frustrated he cannot play, now he is still injured and it is a big loss for us.”