Revealed: When West Ham will make decision on extending Michail Antonio’s £85,000-a-week contract after horror car crash & talk of 12-month recovery period

The Jamaica international is facing a long road to recovery after seeing his Ferrari collide with a tree. Antonio had to be cut from the wreckage of his supercar, before being airlifted to hospital and undergoing surgery on a lower-leg fracture.

There have been suggestions that it could take 12 months before Antonio is able to walk again unaided, with obvious questions being asked of whether he can return to professional football. West Ham will be offering their full support throughout the recovery process.

Antonio’s current contract at the London Stadium is due to expire at the end of the season, but there has been talk of fresh terms being agreed. An extension option may be triggered if the 34-year-old can work his way back towards fitness, but the entire process will not be rushed.

West Ham insider Sean Whetstone, who boasts links to Hammers co-owner David Sullivan, has said in an update on Antonio’s situation: “West Ham will continue to pay Michail Antonio's £85,000-per-week wages in full for the remainder of the season and have no insurance to cover such an accident. Antonio's contract will finish at the end of June next year. The club do hold a one-year option but will wait until next summer to decide if it will be exercised depending on the striker's recovery. His agent is Will Salthouse.”

Antonio has been with West Ham since 2015, taking in 323 appearances for the club and scoring 83 goals. Julen Lopetegui has hinted at the powerful frontman being able to return to football, but it is yet to be determined in what capacity that will be.