Massive West Ham boost as Winston Reid and Fabian Balbuena return training

West Ham receive a massive boost ahead of their Manchester City and Newcastle matches as centre-back pair Winston Reid and Fabian Balbuena are back working with the team in training. The defensive duo greatly shore up the Hammers backline at a crucial point in the season.

While both Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna have done fine in recent weeks, the appearance of Fabian Balbuena and Winston Reid is a welcomed site. While both training, it could be some time until we see either of them in the West Ham first team.

Fabian Balbuena

One of the most underrated West Ham players before his injury? Surely, as Issa Diop garnered most of the positive attention in West Ham’s revamped back line, but after Balbuena hobbled off injured the importance of his presence was clearly seen.

The outlook for Balbuena returning to health is that once ready, he’ll slot back into the starting XI. It’s Ogbonna’s spot he’ll take, who replaced him when he was injured, and it’s the right decision when it happens. I also don’t believe we’ll see any tempering of Balbuena into a game for 15-20 minutes as a sub – when he’s ready he’ll be starting.

With a solid left-back in Aaron Cresswell, and Declan Rice continuing to grow in his absence, Balbuena will be returning to a much stronger defensive team than we he left. Hopefully, he’s retained his leadership abilities as well as his ability to keep a high back line.

Winston Reid

Speaking of leadership, Winston Reid’s return is a welcomed voice back in the West Ham locker room. The Kiwi centre-back was thought to be out longterm, missing the entire season, but alas he’s back and training. Realistically, he won’t be back in the team unless there is an injury but there has to be a better feeling with the long-term vice-captain back in training.

Reid’s place at West Ham is interesting. This season if he gets game-fit I imagine he’ll be fighting Angelo Ogbonna for a place on the bench as the third-string centre-back. Moving forward, Ogbonna could be off to his native Italy this summer to play out his days in his home country. With Reid extremely injury prone and on contract until 2023, West Ham could opt for him to be their depth defender next season and beyond.

I’d imagine the only games Reid gets into this year will be with the U23 team. If he is the long-term contingency plan for Pellegrini at centre-back there is no need to risk his health this season with Ogbonna fully capable to step into the first team. It will also boost Ogbonna’s value should he be moved in the summer.