West Ham hit by Antonio injury blow

London (AFP) – West Ham winger Michail Antonio will miss the rest of the season after suffering a serious hamstring injury.

Antonio was forced off during the first half of West Ham’s 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Swansea last weekend.

Hammers boss Slaven Bilic confirmed on Friday that the 26-year-old’s injury is significant enough to rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Antonio, who had just returned to the side following a similar injury, pulled up moments before half-time and was unable to continue.

He is also a doubt for England’s World Cup qualifier against Scotland on June 10 after pulling out of Gareth Southgate’s previous squad, for matches against Germany and Lithuania, due to injury.

Antonio, who is yet to make his England debut, will miss West Ham’s final six Premier League games as they fight to avoid relegation.

The east Londoners are currently eight points clear of the bottom three.

“It is a significant injury, he is out for the season,” Bilic said. “It’s a big blow, he is one of our best players.”