Manuel Lanzini could give West Ham a huge boost and return to action before the end of the month, Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed.
The Argentine has spent more than eight months recovering after snapping his ACL before last summer’s World Cup.
He recently returned to light training in order to push for a comeback by March, but after making excellent progress, Pellegrini reveals he could face Fulham on February 22.
“We hope that Manu Lanzini will be ready for Fulham, at least for the bench, if he continues working over the next two weeks,” the Hammers boss said.
And there was more good news as the Chilean confirmed Marko Arnautovic will return to the squad for this weekend’s game against Crystal Palace.
The forward missed Monday night’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool due to a foot injury.
However, the Hammers boss cast doubts as to whether Jack Wilshere will be fit before the end of the campaign – the former Arsenal midfielder has been hampered by ankle problems all season.
“Jack will finish his six-to-eight weeks (rest) after his ankle surgery next week,” he added. “He will return to different work and we will see how he is.
“Andriy Yarmolenko, Winston Reid and Carlos Sanchez will not be back this season. Jack Wilshere, I have some doubts if he will be ready.”