Michail Antonio to miss Tottenham clash with rib injury

Michail Antonio will miss West Ham United’s Carabao Cup fourth-round clash at Tottenham on Wednesday with a rib injury.

The 27-year-old Antonio, who has made eight Premier League starts and scored one goal so far, picked up the knock in the first half of their 3-0 home defeat by Brighton on Friday night but played through the pain.

‘Michail Antonio will definitely be out tomorrow,’ Bilic told the club’s website. ‘He had a knock on his ribs in the first half against Brighton, but managed to play. It’s very painful, so he’ll be out.’

Michail Antonio will miss West Ham United’s Carabao Cup fourth-round clash at Tottenham

Antonio picked up the knock in the first half of their 3-0 home defeat by Brighton on Friday 

WEST HAM’S NEXT FIVE FIXTURES 

Oct 25 Tottenham v West Ham (Carabao Cup)

Oct 28 Crystal Palace v West Ham

Nov 4 West Ham v Liverpool

Nov 19 Watford v West Ham

Nov 24 West Ham v Leicester

Striker Andy Carroll will return to the squad following his one-game suspension after being sent off against Burnley while back-up goalkeeper Adrian will start.

Meanwhile, Bilic believes his strength in adversity will shine through in a ‘do-or-die’ situation amid speculation that his future depends on West Ham’s result at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

It is understood that Bilic’s job is safe regardless of the result at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, but everything will be on the line three days later against bottom-of-the-table Palace.

After a 3-0 defeat at home by Brighton last Friday, West Ham are level on points with 18th-placed Everton and only three teams have conceded more goals in the Premier League.

West Ham’s board have so far remained loyal despite Everton and Leicester dismissing Ronald Koeman and Craig Shakespeare respectively.

‘It is nice to feel that backing from the co-chairman (David Sullivan),’ Bilic said. ‘I cannot say I’ve had anything but support from him, both in great times and bad times. He is a very stable person.’

Striker Andy Carroll (left) will return to the squad following his one-game suspension

Striker Andy Carroll (left) will return to the squad following his one-game suspension

Slaven Bilic speaks at his press conference before West Ham's training session 

Slaven Bilic speaks at his press conference before West Ham’s training session 

The West Ham manager knows, however, that things must improve. Bilic confirmed Sportsmail’s story that captain Mark Noble had called the players in for a crisis meeting after the Brighton game, describing the feedback he had from the conversation as ‘very positive’.

‘I’m very realistic,’ Bilic said. ‘You know what’s happening around you. In Koeman’s case. it’s like his credit has gone in no time. But after Claudio Ranieri, nothing surprises me.

‘There are always three, four, five managers in those positions and I’m definitely one of them. Does it make me lose focus? No, it gives me even more. I never gave up in my career, no matter in which part of life, as a parent, as a friend, as a manager. That’s my biggest strength, to be strong in hard times. Now I’m having a hard time.

‘That doesn’t scare me. I’m never, never, never walking away. I never walked away in my life. So there is no problem with my motivation and dedication for the club.’

Bilic insisted that he can handle the pressure of trying to turn the club's fortunes around

Bilic insisted that he can handle the pressure of trying to turn the club’s fortunes around

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