David Moyes has offered a comprehensive update regarding the availability of several first-team players for West Ham United’s visit to Nottingham Forest.
The Hammers make the trip to the City Ground on Saturday looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League, and the squad will be buoyed by Michail Antonio’s return.
The experienced forward has been absent since November due to an injury sustained on international duty, but manager Moyes has confirmed the No9 is back in contention against his former side after returning to training.
“Michail is back and is back available,” Moyes said. “We’ll need to see how we think he is, but he’s been back training and has probably had a week or so training with us, so he’s back in the squad.”
Captain Kurt Zouma and Edson Álvarez were both substituted at half-time in last Sunday’s home defeat by Arsenal, but Moyes has alleviated any fears regarding the duo’s availability this weekend.
The Scot continued: “Kurt Zouma is fine. Our bigger problem was Edson Álvarez, who came off at half-time due to illness, but he’s recovered as well.”
However, the Irons are still without Lucas Paquetá as the Brazil international continues to work his way back from a calf setback sustained in early January.
The manager said the No10 is making progress, having started to work on the training pitches at Rush Green, but the trip to Nottingham will come too soon for the 26-year-old.
“[Lucas] is not fit and available for tomorrow,” Moyes added. “He’s been on the grass for a couple of days but he’s not fully there yet.
“We’ve missed Lucas loads. There was a period before the African Cup of Nations started where we were playing really well, but you have to remember we lost Mohammed Kudus for games around that period, as well as Nayef Aguerd. We’d also lost Jarrod Bowen due to injury after the last international break, as had Antonio out too.
“But I’ve seen Newcastle United have big injuries this season, and Manchester United have had injuries at different times of the season. We’re just having a bit of that in this period since January.”
