Pellegrini: Antonio has score to settle

MANUEL PELLEGRINI has told Michail Antonio: I need more goals from you.

The 28-year-old south Londoner has scored just once for West Ham this season, in the 8-0 rout of Macclesfield.

Last week he blew the chance to add to his tally in the 4-0 home defeat to Manchester City, leaving Pellegrini frustrated.

The Hammers boss wants Antonio (above) to make amends at Newcastle this afternoon.

He said: “If you have two or three clear chances you must score. It’s not just to demonstrate you can do it, you must score.

“Maybe the two chances he had, if he had scored, would have changed the game. So on one side you are happy because of the way he is playing and on the other he is not scoring - and he must score.

“But we must remember also he is coming back from a long injury and is working very well every day, he can play in different positions and I am happy with him.”

Antonio scored just three times during a injury ridden campaign last season. The year before he netted nine times with goals against Liverpool, Spurs and Manchester City among his haul.

Pellegrini added: “Against City I put him with Marko as two strikers because they have a lot of power and speed, and I thought that was best way to create dangers to City.

“I don’t think that is his position to play - he is not a striker. He is a winger who will also play right full-back in some games.”

West Ham are looking for only their second win in eight games in all competitions.

Pellegrini’s men will be aiming to give the Irons their first win at St James’s Park since November 2012. He is set to bring back club captain Mark Noble who has not played since the end of October.

Pellegrini said: “Mark will always be a very important player for our team. We will see what will happen on Saturday.”