'Happy days' - West Ham star teases early team news ahead of Bournemouth

West Ham United star Michail Antonio believes that the side is returning to full fitness as teammates work their way back from injury and international duty at the end of January.

It's been a tricky start to 2024 for the Hammers with manager David Moyes having to deal with injuries to Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen, as well as the absence of Mohammed Kudus due to the Africa Cup of Nations. Antonio has been out of action himself and Said Benrahma is suspended after a red card picked up in the FA Cup second leg against Bristol City.

West Ham have picked up draws against Brighton and Sheffield United in the league since the turn of the year, either side of the cup humbling to Championship side Bristol City. The Hammers are now enjoying a week and a half break from competitive action to nurse players back to fitness ahead of next Thursday's visit of Bournemouth to the London Stadium.

Previewing that match, Antonio told the Footballer's Football Podcast on BBC Sounds: "These are the games we feel we should be winning. They are playing well right now, we've had a few injuries but we are still doing well. We managed to claw some wins. We should have had a win at the weekend but because of decisions we didn't.

"We're still confident and feel we're doing well. We might even have our boy Kudus back because Ghana might not be going any further. Kudus is back, Jarrod is back up front. Happy days!"

Kudus carried his West Ham goalscoring form with him to the Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations, bagging a brace for Ghana in a draw against Egypt. The forward's efforts weren't enough to help his nation out of the group as Ghana were sent home from AFCON early.

While it was a tough tournament for Ghana and its players, it does mean that Kudus is likely to be in the squad against Bournemouth next week. The boost comes as Antonio himself nears a return from a knee injury. There's no update on Paqueta's recovery from his calf injury but it is hoped that the star won't spend too much longer sidelined.