David Moyes has given an update on Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen ahead of West Ham United’s return to Premier League action away at Burnley.
Attacking duo Antonio and Bowen were both withdrawn from international duty with Jamaica and England, respectively, but manager Moyes has offered a positive assessment of each player’s situation.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the boss suggested that Antonio’s injury will keep him out of action for a couple of weeks. Bowen, meanwhile, will be subject to a late fitness test ahead of the trip to Turf Moor.
“Michail has got a small injury,” the boss said. “It’s not a serious injury. It’s probably going to keep him out for a couple of weeks. I don’t think it’s a serious one though. I think about two or three weeks, give or take.
“We hope Jarrod will be available [for Burnley] but that will be a decision we make on Saturday.
“It is a bit like a doctor’s surgery at the moment. It’s been difficult for a lot of the international boys because they’ve had late returns. But we think Nayef Aguerd will be okay too.”
Despite a handful of his Hammers coming back from the international fixtures with knocks, Moyes would still prefer for his squad to be selected to play for their respective countries as reward for their fine form with West Ham.
“Injuries are absolutely your worst fear as a manager, coming out of an international break,” he added. “We’ve had a great record when it comes to injuries at this Club this season. We’ve had almost a full squad in every game and now we’ve got players injured from international duty, and that’s a blow for us.
“If it’s on our watch and it happens in training or in our games, then it’s part and parcel. But when they’re away with the international team then it’s more galling when players come back injured.
“That being said, I want to have international players because that tells me I’ve got one of the best players from whatever country it is. I want my players to be playing for their countries. I’d like more, if possible, to be selected. The downside of that is that they may come back with injuries.”
