West Ham can prove how good they are against Huddersfield, says Michail Antonio

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Jack Rosser @JackRosser_2 September 2017

West Ham forward Michail Antonio has called on the club to put their poor opening run behind them and start the season when Huddersfield visit the London Stadium after the international break.

The Hammers are without a point after three games in the Premier League so far, but are yet to have played a home fixture due to the London Stadium being converted back to a football ground after the World Athletics Championships.

David Wagner’s third-placed Huddersfield are the first to make the trip to East London and Antonio has backed Slaven Bilic’s side show how good they are against the Terriers.

“We had three games with not good results,” he told Standard Sport.

“But hopefully back at home against Huddersfield – who are playing well right now – we can do well and then our season starts from there.

“We’ve got the players and the ability to bring it back and show how good we are. It’s still the beginning of the season and it’s still early doors.”

The 27-year-old, who signed a new five year deal over the summer, missed the first game of the season against Manchester United as he recovered from a hamstring injury – which also meant he missed out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia this weekend.

However, having featured in both the games against Southampton and Newcastle, he is targeting a return to full fitness and the Three Lions setup.

“My first game back was hard because I’d been out for four months, but against Newcastle I was able to play 90 minutes and I felt okay. So hopefully I can get going and keep getting better.

“It’s always good when teammates [Aaron Cresswell and Joe Hart] are playing for England but obviously I am looking to get there myself. It’s one of those where I have to keep working hard.

“It’s not necessarily about these qualifiers for me, it’s about getting to the World Cup at the end of the season. I need to make sure my body’s right, my hamstring is strong and I am playing well and scoring goals.”

Michail Antonio spoke to the Evening Standard at the launch of West Ham United’s 2017/18 Umbro Third Kit. To purchase yours today visit officialwesthamstore.com.

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