West Ham were dealt a big injury concern in their 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Saturday when Michail Antonio was forced off seven minutes into the second half at London Stadium.
Antonio’s troublesome hamstrings were the cause though he wasn’t visibly limping when he was replaced by Andriy Yarmolenko. It’s the second game in a row that Antonio, who scored a spectacular goal to give the hosts the lead on Saturday, has been taken off as a precaution.
The in-form 30-year-old had an initial assessment on Sunday and has also had two scans on the problem to get a second opinion. The Hammers are keeping the news of Antonio's injury very close to their chest though David Moyes should give an update at his pre-match press conference on Friday morning.
That is seemingly the only injury concern that the Hammers picked up from the battling draw at the weekend as they stretched their unbeaten run to four games and have now taken eight points from games against City, Spurs, Leicester City and Wolves.
Said Benrahma was not a part of the matchday squad despite having had a full week of training under his belt. As revealed by football.london before kick off on Saturday, the loan signing from Brentford was simply deemed not match fit to take a place in the 18.
Benrahma was seen going through some fitness drills with first team coach Stuart Pearce prior to Saturday’s game at the Community Track just outside London Stadium but that obviously wasn’t enough to see him take a spot on the Hammers bench.
The Algerian will certainly be pushing for inclusion for Saturday’s visit to Merseyside to take on reigning champions Liverpool as West Ham brutal start to the season in terms of fixtures continues but they will head to Anfield full of confidence.
The Reds have injury doubts over Fabinho and Mo Salah, who both picked up problems in their Champions League win over FC Midjtylland in midweek. Jurgen Klopp's side are in dire straits at centree half as Fabinho had bene filling in with the absence of Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip.
Here is the latest injury news from the Hammers heading into Saturday's game in the north west.
Michail Antonio
Injury: Hamstring
Date of injury: October 24
Possible return date: To be assessed
Comments: “We don't know, we will have a check and scanned. He came off against Spurs with something similar. He just felt something.We think he feels it's just cramping so it's not serious, but we're not too sure."
Said Benrahma
Injury: Not match fit
Date: October 24
Possible return date: October 31
Comments: "He needs to get up to speed with what we want and where we are at so it has given me the opportunity to take a bit more time with him but I have said the same before with the boys from the Championship, I am not in any rush to put them in.”
