West Ham United centre-back Winston Reid is expected to return to light training in three weeks but will not be in action this season, according to reliable journalist Sam Inkersole.
The journalist – who is a reporter on the Hammers for Football London – revealed via his personal Twitter account that the crocked enforcer is making slight progress in the knee injury that had him sidelined in pre-season and the entirety of the campaign so far.
The 6ft 3in [Transfermarkt] player will return to light training in three weeks’ time, but he is not expected to appear for the first team in the remainder of the season.
Winston Reid injury update: Manuel Pellegrini hopes the defender could be in light training in around three weeks but doesn't expect the Kiwi centre back to play this season. #WHUFC
— Sam Inkersole (@Sam_InkersoleTM) February 3, 2019
OPINION
Reid’s injury is the reason why Manuel Pellegrini chose to recruit two new centre-backs in the shapes of Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop in the summer – and it is safe to say that he has not been missed in the presence of this duo. They have been excellent in the centre of defence this season, and this will no doubt be rather worrying for Reid. He will no doubt return to action next season, but he will find it tough to usurp either player from their places in the starting XI – so he will definitely be sweating about his future at the London Stadium. Being out for the season would have obviously dent his first team chances as there will be players who shine in his absence, so who knows where he will fit into Pellegrini’s plans? He will not want to sit on the sidelines next season, that is for sure.