Exclusive interview with Michail Antonio: West Ham standout discusses his challenging period sidelined due to injury.

West Ham forward Michail Antonio has opened up about his frustrating time on the sidelines this season due to injury. The 34-year-old suffered a knee injury in November, which kept him out of action until the end of February. Despite slowly finding his rhythm, Antonio reflected on the long journey back to fitness.

In an interview with TNT Sports, Antonio expressed his love for football and how not being able to play has been frustrating for him. He described the experience of being in the physio room while his teammates trained and had fun as “mind-numbing.” Antonio also highlighted the challenge of returning to the field after an injury, feeling rusty and wanting to regain his previous level of performance.

Antonio’s sentiments echo those of other players who have experienced time away from the game due to injury. Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland have both spoken about the impact it had on them, with De Bruyne appreciating the rest and Haaland describing it as “horrible.”

The West Ham forward emphasized the importance of having a support system and being able to open up about the situation. He acknowledged the superficial nature of some conversations and highlighted the value of people who genuinely care and ask deeper questions about how he is feeling.

Antonio also provided an update on his current injury, stating that he is almost recovered from a shoulder problem. He is looking forward to returning to Premier League action when West Ham faces Newcastle on Saturday. Despite Newcastle’s inconsistent season, Antonio believes it will be a tough match after the international break.

The game between Newcastle and West Ham will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1. Viewers can also access the coverage through various TV platforms and subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.