West Ham United wideman Michail Antonio has revealed that he is well on the way to being fit in time to feature in the opening game of the new season.
The 27-year-old saw his previous campaign curtailed by an injury picked up against Swansea City in April, keeping him out of action for the final six matches.
It was a frustrating end to an otherwise positive campaign on a personal level for Antonio, who saw his form rewarded by a call-up to the England squad, and he is now "really looking forward" to getting back out on the field in time for the opener against Manchester United on August 12.
"The rehab is going well, I'm on schedule and where I want to be," he told the club's official website. "I had a short break at the end of the season, but since then I've been back in at the training ground every day, working hard and trying to make sure everything is right.
"It's been a lot of gym work, just to get the strength back in the hamstring and remove the scar tissue. That's all progressing well and I'm raring to go for the new season.
"Injuries are the hardest part of being a footballer, definitely. Every player just wants to play, so being on the sidelines, watching your teammates playing the game – it gets to you mentally. I haven't kicked a ball now since early April, which is frustrating, but I am really looking forward to getting back next season."
Antonio scored nine times in 29 Premier League outings for West Ham last season, while also chipping in with three assists.
Daniel Lewis
