Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PREMIER LEAGUE MAN WELL
Lanzini poised for comeback after nine months out
MANUEL LANZINI could make his long-awaited return to the West Ham squad tomorrow.
Playmaker Lanzini has been sidelined since June, when he suffered a ruptured anterior knee ligament while training with the Argentina national team.
The horror injury wrecked his hopes of playing for his country at last summer’s World Cup. And, at the time, the damage was deemed so serious there were fears he might not play at all this season.
But after returning to light training on his own for around a month, Lanzini (above, with Argentina superstar Lionel Messi) has been able to take part in full practice this week and could be rewarded with a place in Manuel Pellegrini’s squad to face Fulham.
January signing Samir Nasri is also fit again after a calf problem and Pellegrini said: “For this game maybe Lanzini and Nasri can be included on that squad list. They have worked the complete week.
“We will talk to the medical staff about whether we can use them.”
Fellow key player
Marko Arnautovic is also likely to be included, although
Jack Wilshere’s injury problems show no sign of clearing up.
Pellegrini added:
“All four of our playmakers were injured at the same time, which is always difficult, so the return of Manuel and Samir injects more quality into the squad.
“Manuel is a player who gives you different things, he is very fast and very technical. Last season Arnautovic had a good season and a lot of that was down to Manuel providing him with good passes and good assists.”
Next week will be decisive for Wilshere, with growing fears that he might not play again this season.
He has been missing since the start of
December due to more ankle issues.
Pellegrini said: “We will analyse
Jack next week, then we will be more clear about his future.”
The Hammers have just returned from a five-day training camp in Marbella. Pellegrini (left) added: “The mood of the squad is very good. We used the time away to get all the players together to refocus and we are ready for the rest of the season.
“Now we have Fulham at home. It is a tricky match against a team fighting not to be relegated.”