Michail Antonio was involved in a serious car crash back in December that left him with a broken leg and the West Ham forward has now offered an update on his recovery
West Ham star Michail Antonio says he is “100 per cent” confident that he will return to action after he was involved in a life-threatening car crash.
Antonio suffered a broken leg after his Ferrari veered off the road and hit a tree back in December. The forward underwent surgery and is currently doing rehabilitation work, with Antonio insisting the crash is “not going to stop me” from playing football.
“I’m 100 per cent I’ll be back on the pitch,” Antonio told BBC Morning Live when asked how confident he is that he will be able to return. “This is what I’m focused on. This is why I’m in six days a week.
“Mentally, I believe so too, because I never give up. I’m always focused. I always push myself. This is just another setback and this is not going to stop me.”
Hammers boss Graham Potter recently offered an update on Antonio’s recovery, admitting it is “too early to say” if he could play again this season. Potter told reporters: “I think it’s too early to say. I wouldn’t like to put that deadline up and put pressure on him.
“It’s great that he’s here, it’s great that he’s making the progress he is and we need to carry on supporting him. It’s day-by-day, week-by-week and then we’ll see. He’s tentatively out on the grass, but not so much. He’s on the [anti-gravity treadmill] which helps in non-weight bearing work. It’s baby steps.
“It’s day by day, week by week, and then we will see. It’s great that he is making the progress he is. He is very determined as you would imagine, and trying his best. But at the same time you have understand what he has been through, where the start point was.
“He obviously wants to get back playing, wants to do everything, but at the same time knows the situation he’s had to deal with. Day by day you don’t make much progress, but over time you do. He just has to remember that so he can stay strong mentally.”
Jamaica boss Steve McClaren, meanwhile, is hopeful Antonio will be available for their World Cup qualifiers in September. “Michail has come from non-league and fought his way through to play in the Premier League, in top games in Europe and for Jamaica, making an impact wherever he goes,” McClaren said.
“The impact [of the crash] was horrendous. He is confident he will come back and is aiming for the summer period. Or hopefully our World Cup qualifying group in September, October and November. He is a true character off the field, always bubbly and great for the squad. We miss that.”
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