Michail Antonio, West Ham badge
West Ham striker Michail Antonio. Credit: Imago
Jonathan Burnett
Mon 9 December 2024 10:56, UK
West Ham United star Michail Antonio won’t know for “at least 12 months” if he’ll be able to play football again, Jim White has said.
Speaking on talkSPORT (9 December, 10:05am), White said he’d been told that Antonio remains in a stable condition in hospital following a road traffic accident in Essex on 7 December.
Antonio’s physicality as a top-level Premier League footballer is expected to aid his recovery in the months ahead, but he still faces an uncertain battle back to fitness with NHS and West Ham staff.
White said: “I’m told this morning he remains in a stable condition in hospital, receiving the full support of the NHS and the West Ham medical staff.
“He has sustained serious damage to one of his legs, it’s thought it’s going to be a long-haul recovery, and it will be at least 12 months before it’s known whether or not he’ll play football again.
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“I was told this morning that Michail is a fighter, he’s in a very strong physical condition because he is a top-class footballer, and that may help him and come as a bit of an advantage when it comes to his recovery.”
Michail Antonio’s future uncertain at West Ham after car accident
The full focus for Antonio, at the moment, will simply be to ensure the initial stages of his recovery from the injuries sustained go well.
Football is often seen as the most important of all unimportant things, and that’s certainly the case in this instance, with the Irons’ number nine arguably lucky to be alive given the severity of the incident.
Michail Antonio
Michail Antonio faces a long road back to football following a car accident on Saturday [Credit: Imago]
Any talk of football and this season is now rightfully a long way from the conversation, as football fans the world over wish the Jamaican well.
Antonio will want his lengthy recovery period to begin as soon as possible once he’s off a hospital bed, knowing his attitude and determination.
West Ham take on Wolves in the Premier League on 9 December, with everyone’s thoughts likely to be with the striker ahead of another crucial game at the London Stadium.
Hopefully, he can watch to see all of the love that will be going his way.
In other West Ham news, Tim Steidten and the club’s board are already clashing over their next move if a major decision is taken.
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