Could Michail Antonio lose out from Manuel Lanzini return at West Ham?

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West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that Manuel Lanzini’s return to the first team is imminent.

The 25-year-old attacking midfielder has not featured for the Hammers this season due to an injury he picked up pre-World Cup.

“I think and I hope that Manu Lanzini will be ready for Fulham, at least to go to the bench, if he continues improving over the next two weeks,” Pellegrini said, as quoted by the club’s official website.

The Hammers travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday in the Premier League, but don’t play again until 13 days later at home to Fulham.

Lanzini could be in contention to make his return at the London Stadium and it will be a colossal boost to have him back in the team.

The Argentine playmaker is the creative spark that has been missing in Pellegrini’s team and he can be the outstanding player at the club when on form.

Lanzini will surely force his way into starting XI when he reagins full fitness, meaning someone will have to make way for him.

Michail Antonio could well be the one to drop out despite improving his own form in recent weeks.

The 28-year-old attacker has a tremendous work-rate and is giving his all for the Hammers, but still his end product is perhaps guilty of lacking a little.

West Ham supporters would surely love to have a lethal front four of Lanzini, Marko Arnautovic, Samir Nasri and Felipe Anderson all on the pitch together before the end of the season.