West Ham United forward Niclas Fullkrug is nearing a return to full fitness having been sidelined since September with an Achilles tendon injury.
The £27million summer signing from Borussia Dortmund sustained the injury while on international duty with Germany. The 31-year-old has only played 63 minutes in the Premier League. He last featured as a second-half substitute against Manchester City in August.
But head coach Julen Lopetegui is optimistic about his impending return.
“I hope he is in the last part of his recovery,” Lopetegui said in his press conference on Thursday afternoon. “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.”
Michail Antonio has deputised in Fullkrug’s absence. The Jamaica international has registered one goal across 13 appearances. Lopetegui initially thought Fullkrug would be sidelined for two weeks, but the forward suffered a setback with his injury.
Fullkrug’s due diligence before joining from last season’s Champions League runners-up involved canvassing the opinions of former West Ham players Sebastien Haller, who was a team-mate at Dortmund last season, and Thilo Kehrer, a fellow German international.
Although Fullkrug is unavailable for Saturday’s home game against Arsenal, Lopetegui wants his players to replicate a similar performance to Monday’s 2-0 win over Newcastle.
“We did well but that is in the past,” he said. “Now, we look at Arsenal. We are looking to keep the good things, but always there are things to improve. We have to be ready for a big challenge against a top team with a good coach and players.”
(Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
