Scott Minto is expecting Michail Antonio to continue leading the line for West Ham this weekend.
The Hammers finally brought to an end their search for another senior striker when they signed Italian sharp-shooter Gianluca Scamacca for £30.5m last month.
Antonio was the only recognised centre-forward at the club from January 2021 after the departure of Sebastian Haller and made 47 appearances last season.
The Jamaican international was involved in 24 goals in all competitions and despite the arrival of Scamacca, Minto believes the 32-year-old will start versus Nottingham Forest with doubts over the Italian’s conditioning.
When asked if he thought Scamacca would start on the talkSPORT GameDay podcast he said:
(38:47)”I don’t think he will to be honest. I wouldn’t be surprised if Michail Antonio starts again and you know David Moyes hasn’t played with two up front and Scamacca’s still, I think is not quite 100% fit. So I’ll be surprised if Antonio doesn’t start.
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After a breakout season for Scamacca in which he netted 16 Serie A goals in 36 appearances averaging one every 135 minutes he could very well turn into a rewarding signing for the Hammers.
While Antonio may start on Sunday, he will need a rest and the former Sassuolo ace will be called upon.
The continued reliance on Antonio’s availability last season saw his output flounder with just three goals from the middle of January.
Scamacca has been compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic due to his goalscoring prowess and size and it will be interesting to see how he adapts to life in the English top flight but he could have to wait for his first start in claret and blue.