Antonio details West Ham 'love' after injury

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Such was the length of the more than one hour Morning Live interview with Michail Antonio, that many bits didn't make the final cut.

In the hour-long, exclusive interview, Antonio revealed that a change of manager at West Ham shortly after his crash deeply affected him and led to his search for more therapy.

The 34-year-old striker is also certain he will be back playing his best football but wants to take his time during his recovery to avoid and setbacks.

In part of the interview that didn't make the final cut, Antonio revealed how much support West Ham have given him since the crash in December, which saw him shatter his femur bone in four places.

"The support they gave me, on and off the field, the hospitals, the specialists, everything that they sorted out for me, it was unbelievable," he said.

"I just have to thank the club and the fans and everybody else to be fair, the emergency services, everyone around the world to be fair. Because everything that they did, the support that they gave me, was beautiful."

A recap of what West Ham helped Antonio with is below:

• West Ham raised money for the emergency services.
• Players paid tribute to Antonio by wearing his number nine shirt to warm up after the crash.
• The club looked after his medical bills and recovery.
• The Hammers put him up in a hotel near the hospital when needing to make regular visits to a specialist.
• He was allowed a break in Dubai to see overseas specialists and do some rehabilitation in a warmer climate.
• They also hosted him at the recent Newcastle home match where he was given a warm reception walking out onto the pitch.

"It was beautiful, to be fair, and Jarrod scored, he lifted my shirt up, it was a great feeling," Antonio continued. "It showed it was just more love. There was just so much love going around.

"And everybody loves, love. A good six, seven weeks afterwards, the West Ham fans were just singing my name at every single game, even though I was stuck up in the hospital or in the hotel."

And when asked about coming back to the London Stadium for that Newcastle match, Antonio added: "I've been more of an emotional man, so when I went out there, I just felt the love from the fans and stuff.

"I couldn't control it. And the craziest part is, as I was walking out, I saw one of the media girls, Sophie, and she was saying, 'I'm going to cry'. I heard it and I don't think she wanted me to hear it but I heard it. And as she said it, I could see in her eyes.

"I was like, 'Oh my god. Why did I have to look at you?' Because it was setting me off. And as I was walking out, and then I heard the fans, like, my legs started shaking. It was just, it was a great experience."

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