Niclas Fullkrug was nowhere to be seen in the West Ham squad at Liverpool for the Carabao Cup clash as he missed a third game in a row.
West Ham fans could be forgiven for forgetting the club signed a brand new international class striker in the summer.
The Hammers failed to replace Gianluca Scamacca when he was sold last year.
After chasing Jhon Duran for over a month, West Ham switched attentions to Niclas Fullkrug instead.
Technical director Tim Steidten struck a £23.5m deal with Dortmund for his compatriot.
The move divided opinion among some Irons fans.
At 31 and with a questionable injury history, many felt West Ham should have brought in a younger, quicker striker than Fullkrug.
Especially as their only other striker options are ageing duo Michail Antonio and Danny Ings.
There is no doubting Fullkrug’s credentials as a top level finisher and target man, though.
Fullkrug misses third West Ham game in a row
Steidten declared the German international was ‘just what West Ham needed’ as a focal point for an attack bristling with pacy, skilful, powerful but diminutive talent.
Fullkrug spent the first three Premier League games on the bench, though.
That was much to the frustration of fans and the player himself as Fullkrug made it clear he hasn’t come to West Ham to sit on the bench.
Yet another goal for Germany during the international break had fans demanding Fullkrug start at Fulham.
But the West Ham striker curse struck.
Fullkrug suffered an Achilles tendon and calf issue which kept him out of that game.
There was relief for Julen Lopetegui when a club insider stated the forward would only miss the Fulham game.
Fullkrug was once again missing for the defeat to Chelsea at the weekend.
Lopetegui revealed Fullkrug had been back in training ahead of the Carabao Cup clash at Liverpool.
But when the teams were announced there was no sign of him yet again.
Now there’s a major Fullkrug update after the striker misses the West Ham clash with Liverpool.
Major Fullkrug update after he’s nowhere to be seen at Liverpool
Evening Standard reporter Dom Smith claims Fullkrug failed a late fitness test.
Worryingly Smith claims Lopetegui feels the striker is still not ready for match minutes.
Although he played down fears the German has had a relapse of any injury.
“Niclas Fullkrug came through training alright yesterday — no issues — but Lopetegui felt the striker is just not ready for match minutes yet,” Smith said.
“Standard Sport understands he has not travelled up to Anfield for the match.”
West Ham need a focal point.
The Hammers have created the second fewest big chances in the entire Premier League so far.
That has to change soon if Lopetegui is to get players and fans believing.
Fullkrug could be key to making West Ham a more ruthless and potent outfit.
German could be key to unlocking West Ham’s potential
West Ham fans will be hoping Lopetegui has aired on the side of caution by leaving Fullkrug in east London for the Liverpool clash.
The Brentford and Ipswich games up next are already huge.
And Fullkrug will most certainly be needed for those matches.
The jury is very much out on whether Steidten made the right call signing the 31-year-old.
Especially given his lack of pace – a non-negotiable necessity in the Premier League – and injury history.
Fans wanted the club to push the boat out and sign Duran.
The Colombian has been showing exactly why that is ever since West Ham ditched their move for him over a reported £5m gap in valuation.
But once Fullkrug gets up and running and sticks away a few goals, the experienced striker could be key to unlocking the team’s potential and changing the entire complexion of the attack.
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