Lopetegui finally reveals when Fullkrug will play again for West Ham
Julen Lopetegui is hopeful that Niclas Fullkrug can return to action for West Ham United in the next two or three games.
Fullkrug has not featured for the Irons since their 3-1 loss to Manchester City on 31 August after suffering an injury while on international duty, but is now edging closer to a return.
Speaking ahead of West Ham’s home game against Arsenal on Saturday [30 November], Lopetegui revealed that the striker is in the “last part” of his recovery, although he is still wary of putting a timeframe on his return.
“I hope he is in the last part of his recovery,” Lopetegui told a press conference, as transcribed by The Athletic [28 November].
“Let’s see if he’ll be ready in the next two or three matches. I don’t know exactly but he feels better.
“Now he has to prove his fitness because he’s not easy being out for three months.
“We’re going to help him. I don’t want to give a timeframe but he’s closer.”
Lopetegui finally reveals when Fullkrug will play again for West Ham
The Hammers forked out £27million to acquire Fullkrug’s services from Borussia Dortmund in the summer. By all means, it was a significant amount of money for a 31-year-old.
The eyebrows that were raised at the time have not yet gone down, with the Germany international struggling to stay fit during his time in East London so far. He has played 63 minutes of league football since arriving at the beginning of August.
Fullkrug’s unavailability has raised question marks over his future at the London Stadium, with Lopetegui eyeing a new striker in the January transfer window [Sunday People]. It has also put technical director Tim Steidten under a lot of pressure [TBR Football].
Lopetegui could also have done with the striker’s presence as Michail Antonio and Danny Ings have scored just two goals between them this season.
The Spanish tactician will be hoping that the former Werder Bremen frontman can hit the ground running when he regains full fitness and help West Ham climb up the ladder in the Premier League.
In other West Ham news, this Irons gem out on loan has been called out by his manager.
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