Michail Antonio has been told to up his scoring rate — and then get ready to become West Ham’s emergency right back.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini used the 28-year-old as a striker against Manchester City last week and is set to switch him to the right wing for Saturday’s trip to Newcastle.
But regular right back Pablo Zabaleta, who will be 34 next month, cannot play two games a week, summer signing Ryan Fredericks is injured and Sam Byram is on loan at Nottingham Forest.
And that means Antonio could be switched to the back in Tuesday’s home game with Cardiff. ‘Against City our most dangerous player was Antonio,’ Pellegrini said. ‘So on one side I am happy because of the way he is playing and on the other he is not scoring — he must score.
‘But he is not a striker. He is a winger who will also play right full back in some games. ‘Unfortunately, we have just one right back and that is Zabaleta. For his age, it is impossible for him to play seven games in December.’
Former West Ham defender James Collins has agreed a five-week deal with Aston Villa after training with the club since September.
The deal marks a return to Villa for Collins, 35, who made 109 appearances between 2009 and 2012.
