West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has made it clear he is not going to risk Andriy Yarmolenko by rushing his recovery process.
The winger was a summer arrival from Borussia Dortmund but saw his first season badly hampered as he had to undergo an operation for a torn Achilles. The Ukraine international has returned to slight training but still has works to do to regain his full fitness.
With the Hammers eyeing up a top half finish Yarmolenko’ availability would have been an added boost for the Londoners. Another long time absentee Jack Wilshere is on the verge of returning to the first team and it had been expected Yarmolenko would be ready for a last couple of matches.
But Pellegrini has refused to take any chances and will start working with the player from next season.
“Yarmolenko is working very well, he has no pain, he is running and kicking the ball, but maybe it will be too soon for him to play before we finish
“The Achilles tendon is one of the worst injuries you can have because you cannot go faster, you must exercise the ligament and then wait.
“To play this season I don’t think would be good for him. It would be better to do a very good pre-season.
“If you return after a long injury you get muscle injuries. He must be calm and wait for next season working hard, and we will see the player that we brought because he is a very good player.”
