Michail Antonio could be offered a career lifeline as he trains with Championship side Leicester City.
The Jamaican international is targeting a return to football after his recovery from a devastating car accident 12 months ago.
Antonio, who was contracted to West Ham at the time of the accident, revealed how he “was close to dying” following the crash.
His contract with the Hammers expired at the end of last season, but he continued his rehabilitation with the club.
Michail Antonio holds Leicester talks
According to the Telegraph, the 35-year-old is holding talks with Leicester boss Martin Cifuentes over a potential short-term deal.
Cifuentes is under pressure in the dugout, with Michael Carrick a potential replacement as the next Leicester manager if he struggles to turn their form around.
Although hamstrung with off-field issues which could lead to a points deduction, the Foxes have underperformed upon their relegation and sit 13th, three points adrift of the top six.
A deal to bring Antonio to the club could provide the attacking quality and experience needed to spark a potential play-off push.
He would also pose little risk from a financial standpoint, should the deal not work out. Antonio hasn’t played a game of competitive club football since the crash last December.
However, he did feature for West Ham’s Under-21 side in August, showing remarkable determination to bounce back in impressively quick fashion.
The report adds that no decision has been made yet, but Cifuentes and the club will continue to keep an eye on his performances during training.
Antonio preparing to stick with his promise
Following the crash, Antonio was left with a shattered leg, having broken his femur bone in four places. He required an operation on the injury, where doctors “put a pole” in his thigh “with four bolts”.
While it could have been a career-ending injury, particularly at his age, Antonio declared that he would do everything in his power to play football again.
What should have been a 12-month recovery period, Antonio was back on the field after five-and-a-half months, when he represented Jamaica in June.
He previously said: “It was very hard to get over it. It was a 12-month injury, I managed to do it in five-and-a-half-months. I managed to play for Jamaica in the summer, and I managed to score two goals in the 21s game, so it shows I can still get goals.
“I’m very good, I’m very happy, I’m very content with where I am. I’m just going to wait for my club to come in, and then I’ll start showing everybody that I’m not just good in my mind, I’m not just good physically, I’m good on the pitch.”
