For the longest time, Nicklas Fullkrug was the only injury concern for West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui. While the Hammers were sputtering through the season with poor results, at least they had a nearly fully fit squad to try and get it figured out, right? Now Lopetegui has to worry about both Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus as well, ahead of the Monday night football (a week from tomorrow) clash at Newcastle United.
So let’s get you up to speed on the situation. Call this the “early team news” if you will.
The Mexican midfielder is not injured, but he’s suspended for the next match, having drawn two yellows, which equals one red, in the last match.
Kudus will miss this match, as well as the next one after that (11/30 versus Arsenal) due to an altercation in the goalless draw with Everton. The FA statement reads in part:
“It was also alleged that [Kudus] acted in an improper manner and/or used violent conduct after the offence that he was sent off for. The forward admitted to this charge, and he has been given a two-match suspension.”
He’s still nursing a calf injury, and his return date is unknown. The last time that Lopetegui spoke of the situation, on November 7th, he said the following: “He is working with us, but he will unfortunately be out. He started with a little injury, but it has got more complicated. He will be out for the next 2-3 weeks, but I don’t know exactly. It depends how he responds to the treatment, so we’ll see.”
West Ham are eyeing a loan move for a new striker in the January transfer window due to Niclas Fullkrug’s injury issues, according to GiveMeSport.
The news outlet reported on 20 November that David Sullivan has sanctioned a winter deal with Julen Lopetegui and Tim Steidtein sounding out potential additions ahead of the transfer window opening in six weeks’ time
Lopetegui’s future at the London Stadium is in serious doubt [The Guardian] but it seems as though the Irons will move ahead with a new striker signing regardless in January with the club’s hierarchy coming to terms that the £27million deal for Fullkrug, 31, has “backfired”
What has happened to Niclas Fullkrug at West Ham?
Hopes were high for Fullkrug when the Hammers signed the Germany striker from Borussia Dortmund.
However, almost four months have gone by since his arrival and in that time he’s played just four times – amounting to 137 minutes of game time – and scored zero goals.
It’s known that he’s got an Achilles tendon injury but there’s not been any indication about how serious his problem is and how long he’ll be sidelined for [London Evening Standard].
It’s been reported that he’s training alone with the West Ham medical team in a bid to return to fitness but no news seems to be bad news in this case.
The Hammers must be embarrassed by Fullkrug’s seemingly indefinite spell on the sidelines, especially given how tragic the club’s striker signings have been in the Sullivan era.
It remains to be seen who’ll be signed on loan in January but there’s no doubt that striker will have a lot of pressure put on his shoulders to not only stay fit but to also fire in the goals.
