West Ham set for boost ahead of pre-season with experienced international defender ready to return

West Ham United are set to be energised with their experienced defender Angelo Ogbonna who will return for pre-season.

The Italian defender tore his cruciate ligament back in November in a famous win against Liverpool, and try as much as the medical team did they could not get him back on the field.

All he could do was show up and provide support as the Hammers reached the semi-final of the UEFA Europa League, ultimately losing to winners Eintracht Frankfurt.

Ogbonna’s injury gave the opportunity to Craig Dawson to step up and become a hero, with the English defender proving that he was more than just a bench player at the London Stadium.

According to LondonWorld’s sources, Ogbonna is back in the gym having stayed behind to work on his knee with a specialist, and should join the Hammers when they return for pre-season.

The defender has now taken a short break and gone home to Italy to spend a few weeks with his family, but should return to Rush Green to finish up his work and have the final tests done on his knee before heading the early start to the 2022/23 campaign.

Ogbonna’s contract with the Hammers runs out this summer but LondonWorld understands that defender has already signed an extension and the club will announce his new deal in the coming days.

David Moyes is aware he cannot lose the experienced Italian defender, after seeing Mark Noble walk away from the game.

The Hammers ended the season disappointingly, after a crushing defeat to Brighton on the final day meant they had to settle for the Europa Conference League.

The return of the experienced Ogbonna will be like a new signing, having missed almost half of the season.