West Ham to visit Antonio after car crash survival

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui and his players will visit Michail Antonio in hospital as the Jamaica forward recovers after his “miracle” escape from a car crash.

West Ham star Antonio was rushed to hospital after being cut out of his Ferrari following the accident in Epping last weekend.

The 34-year-old needed surgery on a lower limb fracture and is reported to be facing weeks in hospital recovering from multiple injuries.

Antonio was able to speak to his teammates via a video call from his hospital bed before they beat relegation rivals Wolves 2-1 on Monday.

West Ham players wore ‘Antonio 9’ shirts while warming up at the London Stadium, with Jarrod Bowen holding up his teammate’s shirt after scoring the crucial winner.

“We are going to visit him today or tomorrow,” Lopetegui told reporters on Friday ahead of Monday’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth.

“But the main thing is we are very happy because he is recovering very well. We are very close to him and his family, and we wish him the best for the coming days.

“The best news about Michail Antonio was that he was able to talk with us before the Wolves match, because, looking at the car crash, it was a miracle he was okay. So we are happy for him.

“Now, for sure, he is strong and recovering in the coming months to be a man first and then a player.”

AFP