Credit: Imago

Dr Rajpal Brar

Wed 5 March 2025 12:10, UK

West Ham attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta appears to be close to a first-team training return after his ankle injury, according to Dr Rajpal Brar.

The injury expert claims that his setback appeared to be relatively mild according to comments made by Graham Potter.

The 27-year-old has not featured for the Hammers since the 1-0 defeat against Brentford on 15 February.

Newcastle game may come a tad early for Lucas Paqueta

There has been no official word from the club yet whether or not Paqueta has returned to full first-team training.

He’s been out for nearly three weeks now and if he’s not back in training yet, he’s expected to miss the game against Newcastle at the London Stadium on 10 March with Michail Antonio and Crysencio Summerville already ruled out.

Speaking exclusively with West Ham Zone, Dr Brar, a specialist in Physical Therapy and a Sports Scientist, said: “Based on comments by Potter, his ankle injury sounds like this was relatively mild and it will be a game to game basis for his return.

“It sounds like he is close to returning but it’s touch and go for now.

“If he’s able to return soon, he should be able to bounce close to 100% relatively soon.

“As he’s not yet returned to training, as far as the official word from the club, he’s unlikely to feature in the next one.“

James Ward-Prowse likely to start another game for West Ham?

With Paqueta not available for the game against Leicester, Potter opted to play James Ward-Prowse in a three-man midfield.

This meant that Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus were the two strikers and that could be the system the Englishman deploys against Newcastle as well.

He does have Carlos Soler on the bench who could play Paqueta’s role but he’s obviously not as proficient there as the Brazilian is.

The Magpies have been doing well this season, so beating them is not going to be easy for the Hammers even though it’s a home game in the capital.