West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville was yesterday reported to be well ahead of schedule in his fight to regain fitness following a series of minor injuries.
Understandably, the update was hailed as excellent news for all concerned, with the player rumoured to be set to resume full training at the end of April.
Unfortunately, while the news was packaged in a generous layer of good-news wrapping paper, very little has actually changed.
Most Read on West Ham News
Summerville has been close to returning from injury on two separate occasions since leaving the pitch at half-time against Aston Villa in Graham Potter’s first game in charge. On one occasion, the Dutch winger even resumed first-team training and was set to feature in the next fixture before breaking down again.
At that point, West Ham’s medical staff decided surgery would be the best course of action. However, Summerville understandably opted against going under the knife and instead committed to an intensive recovery programme of training and physiotherapy.
Claret & Hugh spoke to club sources at the time, who expressed concern for the player in case he went through the entire process only to break down again. One source at the London Stadium told us: “He might get back before the end of the season, but the concern is that he will break down again and miss the start of next season.”
Only last week, we were updated by a separate source at West Ham that Summerville was likely to miss the remainder of the season. It was again emphasised that the club remain concerned the skilful winger is susceptible to repeated injury setbacks.
So, while yesterday’s reports that last year’s Championship Player of the Season is ahead of schedule appear to be excellent news, the reality is that the club and player are exactly where they expected to be.
Crysencio Summerville
Summerville has once again made excellent progress as he nears full fitness and hopes to rejoin his teammates for full-contact training late next month.
If he does return in early May, there’s a possibility he could be included in West Ham’s final two Premier League fixtures of the season.
In the event that happens, everyone at the club will be keeping their fingers firmly crossed that he comes through unscathed and can build up his core fitness in pre-season.