Writing on Twitter, reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has dropped an exciting West Ham injury update involving mainstay Michail Antonio and he says that the forward could be back 'sooner than anticipated'. 

Antonio has very much impressed at times for West Ham this season and the club rewarded him with a bumper new deal as a result.

ExWHUemployee drops exciting injury update

However, the Englishman has also endured his fair share of injury issues over 2020/2021, missing a total of 13 matches so far under manager David Moyes (Transfermarkt).

When the 31-year-old does feature, he is statistically one of West Ham's most threatening players - averaging 2.4 shots on goal per 90 this season whilst scoring seven goals and assisting five others (WhoScored).

ExWHUemployee, dropping an exciting claim, believes he could be back 'much sooner than anticipated'.

"He is way ahead of schedule," explained the insider (Twitter).

"Could be available much sooner than anticipated. Same as Rice".

Transfer Tavern take

As Moyes aims to guide West Ham to unprecedented Champions League qualification this season, getting Antonio back before the end of the campaign alongside Declan Rice could come as a major boost - he is the Scot's only recognised striker.

Revered as a 'frightening' player earlier this season by Harry Redknapp on Sky Sports (via The Boot Room), West Ham fans will be hoping he can return to that form if he does make it back from the treatment table.

His presence alongside other returning first teamers may be the difference between European qualification and just falling at the final hurdle.

In other news: West Ham fans want this colossus signed, find out more here.