Insider ExWHUemployee has revealed that West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse Areola has now “resumed training” after his recent injury and may return at the start of next month.
What’s the latest on Alphonse Areola and his West Ham injury?
The Frenchman has been out recently with a hamstring injury and consequently hasn’t been able to feature in the club’s last two Premier League games.
As result, in the recent draw against Newcastle United, manager David Moyes opted to name third-choice goalkeeper Joseph Anang and academy stopper Krisztian Hegyi both on the bench at St James’ Park – he did the same against Chelsea last weekend, too.
However, following a new update on Areola on The West Ham Way podcast, it seems as though the goalkeeper may be back on the bench shortly to provide more senior depth to Lukasz Fabianski.
Indeed, Ex revealed that the 29-year-old is close to returning although likely won’t play until they face Manchester United in the FA Cup.
He said: “Areola has also resumed training. He’s unlikely to feature for us until the Manchester United game, but obviously, it will be good for him to get back on the bench and get some training in before that game.”
Do you think Alphonse Areola will be number one next season?
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What does the Areola injury mean for WHUFC?
For now at West Ham, Fabianski remains very much the number one goalkeeping option for Moyes, with the Pole starting all 22 league games so far this season.
He is, however, 37 years old now and with Areola completing a permanent transfer to the club from Paris Saint-Germain last summer (signing a five-year deal), it suggests the Frenchman will be the first pick in years to come.
This term, though, the 29-year-old has mainly had to settle for minutes in the cup competitions. For instance, he has started every Europa Conference League game.
Taking that into account, even if he is fit enough to play, he probably won’t come into the side for another few weeks until West Ham take on Man United in the fifth round of the FA Cup on 1st March.
