Manuel Lanzini could feature for West Ham again this season, according to reliable outlet Claret & Hugh.
The Argentine was taken off against Manchester United amid fears that he had aggravated the injury that kept him sidelined for the majority of this campaign, but it is now understood that he could be back in time to play a part in the run in.
According to Claret & Hugh, a club source said: “We should see him again this season although of course nothing is written in tablets of stone.
“He definitely won’t make it for Leicester City but the signs are good and we shall certainly need him by the time Robert Snodgrass’ one match suspension kicks in.
“It’s certainly not as bad as we feared originally and the absolute maximum for injuries of this type and ‘severity’ is three weeks.”
OPINION
This is fantastic news for the Hammers, although you do wonder about the best course of action to take with Lanzini. Obviously, the fact that he hasn’t sustained a major injury is a real bonus, but he has struggled for form a little bit since making his return, and at times it has almost looked as if he has been grasping for fitness. If we’re being honest, the Hammers don’t have a great deal to play for over their last few matches. Seventh spot is probably too much of a stretch for them now, and while you never want to see a side checkout before the campaign is over, there is surely no harm in taking it easy with Lanzini and giving him a proper run at preseason and a bit of a fresh start for the new campaign. The chances are Pellegrini won’t do this, and understandably so, but you can’t help feeling that with a bit of patience and care, he could come back even stronger in August.