West Ham have issued a major update on Niclas Fullkrug after the striker underwent scans on a thigh injury sustained during the international break.
The results are now in — and they’ve given Nuno Espirito Santo and Hammers fans a much clearer picture of how long Niclas Fullkrug will be out of action.
Hopes were high for Fullkrug at West Ham this season.
The big German endured an injury-hit debut campaign which saw him miss six of the nine months of the season.
There were hopes that a full pre-season, something Fullkrug did not have the summer he joined the Hammers, would help make his second campaign a better one.
Hammers had to wait for Fullkrug injury to subside for scan
Especially as Fullkrug dropped several kilos in weight and played throughout West Ham’s warm-up matches at home and in the US.
Eyebrows were raised when West Ham first signed Fullkrug from Dortmund for £27m.
Not just because there were question marks whether a player of his advancing years and with a distinct lack of pace could hit it off in the Premier League – where speed and mobility are absolutely essential.
But also because Fullkrug has suffered a string of serious injuries throughout his career.
New Hammers boss Nuno made it clear he sees Fullkrug as his starting striker from his choice of the German, Callum Wilson and Callum Marshall.
Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
The Germany international started both Nuno’s matches so far at Everton and Arsenal.
However, Fullkrug was not called up for his national team by Julian Nagelsmann for the October internationals.
When Nagelsmann was hit by an injury to another forward, he did try to bring the Hammers forward into the Germany squad, though.
It was then that news of Fullkrug’s latest injury came to light for West Ham fans.
Unlike most other Premier League clubs. West Ham do not make official announcements on injuries unless operations are required.
West Ham issue major update on striker Fullkrug after scan
Fullkrug tore a group of muscles in his thigh during Hammers training over the two-week break.
Nuno confirmed Fullkrug will not be available for a while but stopped short of giving a timeframe for his expected return until the results of a scan were known.
The Hammers have been waiting for the injury to subside so it can be scanned.
Now West Ham have issued a major update on striker Fullkrug after a scan on his thigh injury.
They say never kick a man while he’s down but Fullkrug had an almighty boot this week.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Because a shocking Fullkrug West Ham revelation proved Tim Steidten should hang his head in shame.
West Ham now have a run of crucial fixtures in their battle to stay in the Premier League.
Nuno’s side welcome Brentford to the London Stadium on Monday night before a trip to Leeds.
The Irons then have back-to-back home games against Newcastle and Burnley before the November international break.
West Ham will be hoping to take at least seven or eight points from that clutch of matches.
If they fail to do so then survival will start to look very difficult indeed.
Will they have to make do without Fullkrug for such an important run, though?
Fullkrug’s scan result and West Ham return date announced
Hammers News has spoken to a top source at West Ham regarding the Fullkrug situation.
The striker had a scan on his thigh injury this week.
Now the results are in.
And the injury is not as bad as some inside the club first feared.
The West Ham spokesman told Hammers News: “Fullkrug will be out for another two to three more weeks, maximum.”
That should mean Fullkrug could be back in action for the Newcastle game at the London Stadium on November 2nd.
If that comes too soon then the 32-year-old will hope to be involved with the crucial match against Burnley six days later.
