West Ham assistant gives Benayoun fitness update ahead of Everton clash

By Nick Wright Friday, December 21, 2012
7:05 AM

Chelsea loanee Yossi Benayoun is closing in on a return from injury but remains a doubt for West Ham’s clash against Everton on Saturday, according to assistant manager Neil McDonald.

The 32-year-old has been limited to just six appearances for Sam Allardyce’s side this season due to persistent injury problems.

He is now back in training having overcome another setback last week and, while the visit of Everton could come too soon, he is expected to give the injury-hit Hammers a much-needed boost over the Christmas period.

“He is coming along really well,” McDonald said of the midfielder, who has not featured for West Ham since early November.

“He is back [training] with the boys so hopefully after a couple of days training we’ll see how is he from there.

“It is an ongoing process with him,” he continued. “We will see how he does over the next couple of days.

“Everton might be a little bit too early but we will see how he goes today and tomorrow.”