Sunday’s trip to Nottingham Forest represents a return to familiar ground for West Ham United striker Michail Antonio.
The Hammers’ record Premier League goalscorer spent just over a year in the colours of the Reds prior to his move to east London, scoring a prolific 19 goals in just 54 appearances for the City Ground club.
Now, having shaken off a knock sustained in last weekend’s defeat to Manchester City to return to training late in the week, Antonio is set to step foot back at his old club for the first time since departing in 2015.
And while he is looking forward to the occasion, he remains focused on helping his side pick up our first three points of the campaign.
“I was there for a season and I enjoyed that year,” he reflected. “So it's really nice going back. It's weird going back to be fair, I've not been back since I've left and actually I’m quite excited.
“In that season, I managed to get 15 goals and 15 assists. I was there for the first part of the next season as well and I managed to get four more goals. So I'm hoping that I get a nice response coming back. But obviously I'm coming back wearing different colours, so I’ll understand if I don’t!
“I’ve got huge respect for them, but obviously I'm going to go out there and do my job. And hopefully I do score.”
Fellow striker Gianluca Scamacca has joined the Hammers this summer from Italian side Sassuolo and Antonio is relishing the prospect of working with the 23-year-old.
Whether that be on the pitch together, or pushing each other on in training, Antonio is sure the presence of the duo will fire one another on to greater heights.
“What I've seen of him in training, he's quality,” Antonio continued. “His hold-up play is great, he’s got a leap on him and a strike too. So I'm very impressed so far.
“Even on his debut last weekend when he came on, he was holding up the play and spreading it well. He won a few headers too. So yeah, it will be nice playing alongside him, and it will be nice seeing him.
“Everyone likes the competition because it drives you on, with someone that's pushing you trying to get the spot. So I have to do what I need to do to make sure I keep my spot. And that's going keep me sharp and keep me going.”
