Michail Antonio’s knee injury is ‘not as bad as first thought’ with the West Ham forward facing just a month out – after fears he had suffered a serious rupture

• Michail Antonio suffered a knee injury on international duty with Jamaica 
• There were fears the Hammers striker would miss a significant period of time
• Everton players will be fed up with the owners – listen to It’s All Kicking Off 

West Ham have been handed a major injury boost after scans revealed Michail Antonio should return from an injury he picked up on international duty within a month.

Antonio – who declared for Jamaica in 2021 after being called up to two previous England squads – suffered medial knee ligament damage just 21 minutes into a 2-1 defeat to Canada on Saturday.

There were significant worries the 33-year-old could be absent until well into the New Year if he had suffered a serious rupture.

However, according to The Evening Standard, upon returning to West Ham, scans and medical assessments by club staff discovered Antonio had only picked up a strain.

As a result, the forward – who has three goals in 14 caps for the Reggae Boyz – should return to action within the next month in what is welcome news for Hammers boss David Moyes. 

West Ham have been handed a major injury boost after scans revealed Michail Antonio should return from a knee injury he picked up on international duty within a month

The Hammers forward – who declared for Jamaica in 2021 – picked up the problem on Saturday

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Antonio – who is West Ham’s all-time record Premier League goalscorer with 63 strikes – began the season in fine form, netting twice in the opening three games of the campaign.

However, his performances have dipped in recent weeks and Moyes has deployed Jarrod Bowen as a central striker in his place, which has allowed summer signing Mohammed Kudus to sparkle in attacking midfield.

Bowen provided the Hammers with another injury scare after he withdrew from England’s squad ahead of their clash with North Macedonia on Monday.

However, Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate insisted this was a precautionary move and there should be no serious concern over the former Hull City star.  

Nevertheless, with Antonio out for the next month, along with the club having sold Gianluca Scamacca in the summer, Moyes’ resources will be stretched in the run-up to the New Year with his side facing 11 games in 39 days across the Premier League, Europa League and Carabao Cup.

David Moyes’ side face a grueling schedule of 11 games in 39 days across all competitions

Hotshot striker Divin Mubama, 19, is a potential option to lead the line in Antonio’s absence

The Hammers travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley on Saturday, with ex-Clarets Danny Ings and Maxwel Cornet likely to be in contention to lead the line. 

Highly-rated striker Divin Mubama, 19 – who scored eight goals in five games in the club’s FA Youth Cup triumph last season – is another option after he played 35 minutes across three top flight substitute appearances in 2022-23, while he has also featured in the Europa League.

After the trip to Burnley, West Ham face a tricky assignment in Serbia when they take on Backla Topola in the Europa League, where a win could secure their qualification for the knockout stages.

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