|
The biggest boost is Michael Carrick's return following his double hernia operation last month. He was always aiming for this game, but it is more important that he is fit for the rest of the season rather than this striving for this game, and then sustaining further injury. But John Green and Simon Webster, the Hammers physios, is on the case and will hopefully not risk any players - for whatever cause.
Joe Cole has certainly seemed to miss Michael's presence on the field, and it will be a boost to him to have the young Geordie by his side once more. And time is running out for the pair of them to impress England coach Eriksson for a place in the World Cup Final squad.
Simon told the official site "Michael trained with the lads today, which was his first day out with the rest of the team, so he will probably have an easier day tomorrow and will try to ease him in for the rest of the week."
Steve Lomas, who must go down as the most unlucky person in the Premiership this season as far as injury is concerned, with three major injuries, also trained this morning. He came through training without any injury, and is also a possibility for the Man U game. Simon continues:
"I think the thing to think about now is that the Arsenal game is called off, and if they are both fit then obviously Manchester United is a key game.
"If they are not, then we have to consider that there is a two week break before the next game, so we have got time to get them fully ready rather than just throwing them in for one game."
Just as the injury list is starting to subside, Glenn and the team will be hoping to avoid any recurrences or new problems in the run in to the end of the season. John Moncur's knee injury appears to have been resolved, as have other minor niggles for various players.
Explains Simon: "We seem to be progressing very well in terms of injuries, and we did well today; John Moncur trained and seems to have recovered from the knock that he had on his knee and Nigel has got a little bit of a knock but it is nothing serious.
"Shaun Byrne also got some treatment and Hayden Foxe, who has had a bit of tendonitis in his knee over the last couple of weeks, also trained - he is another one that just needs to be eased back in."