No one ever wants to describe an injury to a first-teamer as an opportunity, but the fact is that Callum Marshall will be looking at Niclas Fullkrug’s latest West Ham United lay-off as a chance to really stake his claim.
Nuno Espirito Santo chose Marshall over Callum Wilson away at Arsenal last time out.
The 20-year-old’s first ever appearance in the Premier League more than deserved, too, following four goals in three Under-21 matches and some impressive performances on the training pitch.
Now, as Nuno puts his faith in West Ham’s next generation – Freddie Potts is already playing a bigger role than he did under Graham Potter, for instance – everything is coming up Marshall.
Niclas Fullkrug’s misfortune is most certainly Callum Marshall’s opportunity.
Something to look forward to, at least, West Ham United fanbase hoping to see the Northern Ireland international build on all the progress he has made over the last 12 months, from that Young Player of the Year-winning Huddersfield Town loan spell and via that pre-season stunner in Austria.
Niclas Fullkrug injury is a chance for Callum Marshall to consolidate West Ham United spot
While the former Borussia Dortmund targetman was nowhere to be seen in Germany’s squad for the October internationals, Julian Nagelsmann has now confirmed that the reason for his omission was far from tactical.
In fact, Nagelsmann would have preferred to have Fullkrug at his disposal. Germany need a player who can win headers, he said, and the 6ft 2ins giant has proven himself a very useful presence while scoring 14 goals in 24 caps.
Via Kicker, Nagelsmann confirms that West Ham will be without Fullkrug ‘for several weeks’ due to a torn thigh muscle.
“During the week, we wanted to select Niclas Fullkrug,” the ex-Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig boss said. “That is not possible. Unfortunately, he’s injured.”
With West Ham’s number one centre-forward struck down – he had started both of Nuno’s games in charge – young Marshall may now have the chance he’s been waiting for.
“With Fullkrug injured, Wilson is the safer option to replace him,” one Hammers fan writes on X. “But hopefully Nuno continues to show faith in Marshall. [He] looked sharp against Arsenal.”
Nuno Espirito Santo has been impressed with Marshall
Nuno certainly felt that way, too.
“First of all, let’s be correct, it’s not easy to put a young lad in front of Callum Wilson,” Nuno said after Marshall stepped off the bench in place of Fullkrug during last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Arsenal. “It’s important for us, as soon as possible, to have total knowledge of who we have in the squad.
“The main reason behind that is we are going to need all of them, and we have hope that the young lads will bring new things.
“What I have been seeing in training sessions, [Marshall has] energy, he is a good finisher, has good mobility, he can realise the gaps in the space. He has a good chance up against a very strong centre-half and he managed to get the header.
“I think we have something we can use. We have three strikers available; [Niclas] Fullkrug, Callum Wilson, and Marshall. Different solutions and different options going forward.”
Marshall wants to score a first Premier League goal against Brentford
If Fullkrug’s latest injury blow renders him unavailable for the next month, that means he will miss Premier League clashes against Brentford, Leeds United, Newcastle and Burnley. A more winnable selection of fixtures, certainly, and a run which will have Nuno’s remaining forward options drooling.
Marshall is determined to bare his teeth against Brentford and open his top-flight account in Nuno’s home debut.
“Coming over from Northern Ireland, this is what I wanted to do. I am happy the new manager has given me my debut and, hopefully, there is more to come,” the former Linfield starlet told the Belfast Telegraph.
And those comments were made before Fullkrug hit the treatment table again.
“I’m just happy to get on the pitch after being on the bench a few times under David Moyes and then Graham Potter,” Marshall added. “I am thankful to the gaffer [Nuno]. He hasn’t seen much of me yet but, when I come back from Northern Ireland, I can hopefully show him I can affect games and bring energy.
“It was a hard game to affect on Saturday. I had a headed chance but, if I get on again, I will hopefully become a Premier League goalscorer. I want to come back in against Brentford and score in front of the home fans.
“I can play in a few different positions, and I want to affect the game.”
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