West Ham's Fullkrug Injury Worsens: Lopetegui

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Post on Nov 09, 2024

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West Ham's Fullkrug Injury Worsens: Lopetegui

West Ham manager David Moyes has confirmed that the injury sustained by new signing Niclas Füllkrug during their pre-season friendly against Bayer Leverkusen has worsened. The German striker, who joined the Hammers from Werder Bremen in a £12 million deal, was forced off the field after just 15 minutes in the game.

"It's disappointing news," Moyes said after the match. "We're going to have to wait and see how long he's out for, but it's not good. The initial scans showed a small tear, but it looks like it's worse than we first thought."

Füllkrug's injury is a major blow to West Ham, who are hoping to challenge for a top-six finish in the Premier League this season. The 30-year-old was signed to provide competition for the likes of Michail Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca in the striker position.

Moyes hinted at a potential longer absence, stating, "We'll need to get more detailed scans and speak to the specialists to get a better idea of the timescale." This leaves West Ham with a thin forward line ahead of the new season, with Scamacca also facing an uncertain future after his struggles last season.

"We're looking at our options in the market," Moyes added. "We need to be smart, but we need to bring in players who can help us immediately."

The injury has also been met with disappointment by Germany manager Hansi Flick, who was hoping to include Füllkrug in his squad for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers.

"I spoke with Niclas and he's obviously very disappointed," Flick said. "He's a key player for us and we wish him a speedy recovery."

Füllkrug's absence could see more opportunities for the likes of Lucas Paquetá, who was heavily involved in the attacking play during the Leverkusen friendly. It also places additional pressure on West Ham's existing strikers to step up and deliver in the coming season.

The extent of Füllkrug's injury and the potential return date remain uncertain. West Ham will be hoping for a swift recovery, but the initial prognosis doesn't bode well for the German forward.