West Ham United forward Niclas Fullkrug remains sidelined with a calf injury.
Fullkrug sustained the injury while featuring for Germany on international duty in September. The 31-year-old has only played 63 minutes in the Premier League, following his £27million ($34.4m) summer switch from Borussia Dortmund.
Fullkrug last featured for West Ham as a second-half substitute against Manchester City in August. The forward has missed the last five games, with captain Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio deputising in his absence.
“Fullkrug is out because he’s still recovering from his injury,” head coach Julen Lopetegui said on Thursday. “He initially thought he had one non-important injury, but he has had complications and we are waiting for him to get better.
“We thought he would be out for a maximum of two weeks, but he has been out for over a month and a half. Hopefully, he will be ready in the next few weeks but right now he is out. I don’t know how long he will be out. We will see.”
West Ham sealed a 4-1 victory against newly-promoted Ipswich Town before the international break. Lopetegui’s side have forthcoming games against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.
How frustrating is Fullkrug’s injury for West Ham?
Following the win over Ipswich, Fullkrug posted a picture on his Instagram and the caption said: “Big win at home, can’t wait to be back.”
But his delayed return has only added to his woes. Fullkrug was signed following West Ham’s failed £40million bid for first-choice transfer target Jhon Duran. The 20-year-old forward has made an impressive start to the season for Aston Villa, registering six goals across ten appearances.
Duran has begun the season in strong form for Villa (David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)
Duran’s youthfulness and reliable presence up front are what West Ham are missing. In Fullkrug’s first interview with the club’s in-house media, the forward spoke about why supporters should be excited, his main strengths and his excitement about playing alongside Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus.
But we are yet to see what impact the summer signing will have under Lopetegui.
How have West Ham managed without him?
Antonio has started six of the seven league games. Despite a slow start, the 34-year-old registered an assist in the 1-1 draw away to Brentford, and scored in the win over Ipswich. Lopetegui has trusted the Jamaica international to lead the line in Fullkrug’s absence.
Bowen is often tasked with the lone striker role when Antonio is substituted during games. But Lopetegui is aware he is more effective in his natural position on the right flank. Danny Ings looked set to leave in the summer but the head coach convinced him to stay. Ings, 32, who is the third-choice option, scored a late equaliser in the draw against Fulham in September.
“I still think I can be effective and today showed just that,” Ings told The Athletic. “It is hard for sure (not playing) but I have a lot of experience and have been in this situation many times before.”
When Fullkrug returns to full fitness, he faces the challenge of dislodging Antonio from the XI. Although Fullrkug’s first start against Bournemouth was underwhelming, he has shown in his career he can be a good offensive presence. The sooner West Ham see that side of Fullkrug the better.
GO DEEPER
West Ham have a forwards problem again. Shock. Surprise. Amazement. (Not)
(Top photo: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
