West Ham could be handed a welcome boost ahead of the Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur according to the club themselves.
The Premier League is back and West Ham’s trip to rivals Tottenham kicks off the weekend’s action on Saturday lunchtime.
Speaking of kicking off, the company broadcasting the game have enraged some West Ham fans.
TNT Sports has caused real controversy with a social media post ahead of the game.
Hammers fans believe the disrespectful video attempts to belittle the club.
But it has only served to backfire on Spurs judging by the reaction on social media.
There is absolutely no love lost between West Ham and Tottenham.
Throw in the fact Ange Postecoglou and Julen Lopetegui are both men under pressure and there’s plenty riding on the match.
West Ham confirm star faces late fitness test for Spurs
West Ham and Spurs have had a host of players away on international duty.
Both clubs have a few injury worries to contend with.
Spurs skipper Son Heung-min has missed the club’s last three games with a hamstring injury. He could return for West Ham but Football London say it all depends on how his return to training goes this week.
Brennan Johnson, Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are all potential doubts for Tottenham too. Postecoglou will have to make late calls on them.
There may be a big boost for the Hammers, though.
Because West Ham have confirmed a game-changing star faces a late fitness test for the Premier League clash with Spurs.
West Ham got a real scare when captain Jarrod Bowen and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were missing from training ahead of the match.
Both players had minor knocks from the 4-1 win over Ipswich before the break.
But Lopetegui got a shot in the arm when Bowen and Wan-Bissaka took part in full training this week.
Now there could be more welcome news.
Striker Niclas Fullkrug was signed to be the difference maker for West Ham in the summer.
Finally the Hammers had a bona fide world class finisher to knit together the club’s skilful but diminutive attack.
The problem is Fullkrug has already missed five games and was expected to miss Tottenham too.
Fullkrug to be assessed before kick-off at Spurs say Hammers
It seems the big German striker has a chance of facing Postecoglou’s side, though.
That’s according to West Ham’s own official website.
In the club’s official preview for the game, West Ham have confirmed Fullkrug faces a late fitness check which will decide whether he can return to action at Spurs.
And it suggests the 31-year-old may indeed be close to his return.
So much so it sounds like he will be in the travelling squad with a last minute call being made by Lopetegui and his team on his inclusion.
“Forward Niclas Füllkrug has missed the Hammers’ last five games in all competitions since he suffered an injury in his calf and Achilles area while on international duty in September,” West Ham state in the official Spurs preview.
“And (he) will be assessed ahead of kick-off once again.”
Fullkrug can be a game-changer for this West Ham side.
The Hammers have spurned numerous golden chances in games this season.
Having him up top will see some of those chances converted, making West Ham far more competitive.
Even if Fullkrug passes the fitness test he will likely start on the bench.
Lopetegui will be hoping he can come on and make an impact to get his Hammers career up and running.
What better way to properly announce yourself to West Ham fans than scoring against Tottenham?
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