West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug (credit: Imago)
West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug (credit: Imago)
Match

Niclas Fullkrug injury timeline mooted as blow emerges in Aston Villa v West Ham

Harri Burton
Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Niclas Fullkrug could be sidelined for over a month after suffering a new injury during an FA Cup clash between Aston Villa and West Ham, Lee Dixon has said.

The German striker has only managed three Premier League starts since his season following his £27million from Borussia Dortmund [BBC Sport], having picked up an injury in September.

While he finally looked to be settling into life in England, the 31-year-old has picked up yet another injury, having to be replaced by Danny Ings after just 16 minutes at Villa Park on Friday (10 January).

Speaking live via ITV1 [10 January, 8:16pm], Dixon said: "He was never going to get there but he just wanted to put some pressure on - there it goes. It's such a sad thing to see. It's not great.

"I feel for him because that's horrible. The thing is with a hamstring like that, you know he'll be out for a month at the minimum."

Niclas Fullkrug suffers new injury blow in Aston Villa v West Ham United

While Fullkrug has shown plenty of positive signs since returning from his initial injury at the London Stadium, this new blow shows exactly why a new striker needs to be signed.

With Danny Ings having a tiny impact for the Hammers and Michail Antonio recovering from a car crash, Graham Potter has few options through the middle in the final third now.

The lack of choices also highlights Tim Steidten's shortcomings as the club's technical director, with the likes of Omar Marmoush and Jhon Duran missed out on during the summer transfer window.

West Ham United striker Niclas Fullkrug
West Ham United striker Niclas Fullkrug [Credit: Imago]

Add Fullkrug to the treatment table alongside Jarrod Bowen and the Hammers are beginning to build a small crisis of injuries in East London, which would be detrimental for the new manager.

It remains to be seen whether Sullivan will re-open his pockets for the January transfer window, but with Fullkrug injured once again, he may have no other option this month.

In other West Ham news, civil war threatens to break out at the London Stadium unless David Sullivan sacks more than just Julen Lopetegui.

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Aston Villa
Lee Dixon
Niclas Fullkrug
West Ham
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