West Ham have moved to clarify the situation around Niclas Fullkrug after he left the Germany squad with an injury while also addressing talk of a sensational return for Michail Antonio.
- Hammers News exclusive
West Ham have been left reeling after a case of Niclas Fullkrug deja vu.
This time last year Fullkrug was injured while on international duty with Germany and was on the sidelines for the first three months of his debut season with the Hammers.
Just as Fullkrug had worked his way back to full fitness he then picked up another serious injury in Graham Potter’s first game in charge of West Ham.
Fullkrug, who has a lengthy history of serious injuries throughout his career, spent another three months in the treatment room.
West Ham were rocked when Niclas Fullkrug suffered yet another injury on international duty with Germany ahead of the games against Slovakia and Northern Ireland.
West Ham issue big Niclas Fullkrug injury update
Reports in Germany revealed the former Dortmund forward is suffering a calf issue, sparking fears it could be a recurrence of the injury which kept him out last term.
Fullkrug is returning to London to be assessed by West Ham medics.
Hammers News revealed Fullkrug will now almost certainly miss the Spurs clash next weekend, even if the injury is not serious.
Fullkrug could be out for up to four weeks if the calf issue is the lowest grade and longer if higher than a grade one injury.
Fullkrug has struggled so far this season, looking out of his depth at times in the cut and thrust of the Premier League.
His biggest asset – his strength – has also proved ineffective with no other playing losing more duels than the Hammers striker in the first month of the season.
But West Ham sorely need him fit with the even more injury-prone Callum Wilson being Potter’s only other senior forward option.
The Hammers responded on whether they would move for a free agent Spain striker as a result of the Fullkrug concerns.
There has also been talk among fans, for some time, that the club might decide to bring Michail Antonio back after he was released.
Antonio rejected a lower salary, short-term deal to sign an extension with the Hammers.
He is now a free agent, meaning West Ham could sign him back up post transfer deadline day if they wanted to.
Hammers board respond on possibility of Michail Antonio return
Now West Ham have issued a big Fullkrug update and responded on the possibility of a stunning return for Antonio.
Opinion has been divided among supporters about whether Antonio should have been retained for another year following a decade with the club.
Having rather miraculously fought his way back early from breaking his leg in four places in that horrific car crash in December, many felt Antonio should have been given another season.
Others felt it was the right time to part ways.
But West Ham failed to go out and sign the young, pacy striker supporters had been pleading for.
That has given rise to speculation West Ham could end up making a big Antonio U-turn amid the new Fullkrug injury fears.
It has been noted that Antonio has not issued a farewell statement or video to West Ham fans. That has been seen as highly unusual given he spent 10 memorable years with the club.
Some supporters believe that is because the Hammers have been planning to bring him back all along as a PR stunt, hence the club not signing another forward before the deadline.
Hammers News reached out to the top spokesman for West Ham’s board about the situation.
It was put to the owners that the injury to Fullkrug could leave the Hammers vulnerable.
Especially given that Wilson has spent three whole 38-game seasons out injured in the last five years at Newcastle.
There has been some positive news for Potter from West Ham’s top brass today, though.
Positive Fullkrug news and emphatic Antonio answer from West Ham
Because the club are hopeful Fullkrug’s injury is nothing too serious.
Although supporters hoping for the second coming of Antonio will be left disappointed by the club’s emphatic response.
Hammers News put it to the board whether there is a possibility Antonio could return to West Ham given he still doesn’t have a club and in light of Fullkrug returning to east London with a new injury.
“No Antonio won’t be returning,” the top West Ham spokesman exclusively told Hammers News.
“Thankfully Fullkrug’s injury, from what we understand, doesn’t look much.”
Even if Fullkrug’s injury does not turn out to be significant, it seems highly unlikely the Hammers would risk him against Spurs with the big derby coming just one week after the German picked up a new calf issue.
That might mean a first start for Wilson in the claret and blue after his impressive performance and goal in the rejuvenating 3-0 win at Forest last time out.
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