Winston Reid hands West Ham a huge boost after nearly 19 months on the sidelines

West Ham defender Winston Reid has been pencilled in for a return to action in an Under-23s game on Monday as he bids to resurrect his career after 19 months out.

Reid has not played a competitive match for West Ham since March 2018 but hopes to make long-awaited return to action in a development game at Stoke.

The 31-year-old has been sidelined since he suffered a freak injury against Swansea when he was knocked unconscious and fell to the ground awkwardly twisting his knee.

Reid returned to training last summer but broke down, had to have knee surgery which ruled him out of the whole of last season and has had several setbacks in his recovery.

The New Zealand international featured three times for West Ham in pre-season but the club have been cautious with him since then. He had hoped to return for the Under-23s at Cheltenham Town earlier this month but his comeback was pushed back.

Reid has been training with West Ham’s Under-23 squad but it is hoped he will return to first-team training if he comes through the game on Monday unscathed.

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini said: “We must pray that he will not have any other injuries. He has had a long time without playing and deserves to try to return to his career.”

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