By 90min | Created at 2025-01-12 13:36:42 | Updated at 2025-01-12 18:28:37
4 hours ago
New West Ham United head coach Graham Potter has been dealt a serious injury blow as Niclas Fullkrug faces up to three months out of action.
The 31-year-old striker went down clutching his hamstring during Friday night's 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup and left the field in obvious discomfort.
Fullkrug eventually had to be helped down the tunnel by West Ham's medical team, with Potter and the club's supporters left sweating over the extent of the issue.
Potter, appointed as Julen Lopetegui's replacement on Thursday, told reporters post-match: "I would imagine it's quite a severe hamstring injury when you pull up like that so that's a concern for us."
Sky Sport Germany report that scans conducted on Saturday show that Potter had every right to be fearful, with Fullkrug set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines - the second time he has been injured for a significant portion of time after picking up an Achilles tendon issue while on international duty with Germany in September.
West Ham may now be forced to dip into the transfer market as they are already missing captain Jarrod Bowen, who fractured his foot during the recent 5-0 mauling against Liverpool, and Michail Antonio, who is recovering from multiple injuries - including a leg fracture - sustained in a life-threatening car crash just before Christmas.
32-year-old Danny Ings could be drafted into the team as a short-term measure, but his record of four goals in 47 Premier League appearances for West Ham is unlikely to convince Potter that he's the answer moving forward.
Mohammed Kudus could also be deployed centrally in a false nine role, though West Ham may look to retain him on the wing if Crysencio Summerville's niggle in Friday's defeat proves to be anything of substance.
