West Ham United fans will despair at what Julen Lopetegui has now said about Niclas Fullkrug
West Ham United fans will be gutted after Julen Lopetegui revealed Niclas Fullkrug is facing more time on the sidelines ahead of the match against Tottenham.
The 31-year-old was expected to be slowly reintegrated back into the side after the October international break but has faced another setback in his rehabilitation.
Lopetegui confirmed the crushing blow in his pre-match press conference on Thursday [17 October], revealing there is now no time frame on when the German will return to action for the Hammers.
“I think that Fullkrug is out, but I am going to meet with the rest and we don’t have bad news about them,” he told reporters.
“He initially thought he had one non-important injury, but he has had complications and we are waiting to recover him.
“We thought he would be out for a maximum of two weeks, but right now he is out and I don’t say anything about how long he will be out. We will see.”
West Ham United dealt Niclas Fullkrug blow ahead of Tottenham clash
The West Ham faithful have hardly had a chance to see Fullkrug in claret and blue since his move from Borussia Dortmund this summer, and the supporters will be made to wait a little while longer yet before he is back.
While Michail Antonio ended his goalscoring drought in the 4-1 win against Ipswich Town last time out, the 34-year-old is far from an ideal figure to lead the line for the Hammers and all signs point to this being his last season in East London.
Lopetegui is facing a pivotal period for his West Ham future after a poor start to the campaign; with Tottenham and Manchester United next up in the Premier League, it is truly make or break for the Spaniard to prove he has the credentials to lead the side.
Jarrod Bowen can lead the West Ham attack if needs be, but he is far more effective on the flanks and the side loses a crucial dimension when he is used there, considering Lopetegui sets his side up around a big number nine.
Fullkrug arrived to become the main man that the Hammers have been crying out for. However, his start to life in East London has been far from ideal and his absence will be a massive blow to the side in the coming weeks.
Lopetegui will need to make some tough decisions ahead of the clash against Tottenham. United’s London rivals are still reeling from the 3-2 loss to Brighton and there is no better opportunity for West Ham to claim three crucial points that could kickstart the season.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are pursuing a deal to sign a Norweigan striker.
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