Niclas Fullkrug was conspicuous by his absence as West Ham United started pre-season with a 1-1 draw at Southend on Saturday.
There was no sign of Jean-Clair Todibo or Maxwel Cornet at Roots Hall; the former out of favour after refusing to feature on the final day of last season, and the latter available for transfer despite scoring in a behind-the-scenes victory over Colchester at Rush Green.
Niclas Fullkrug, back in East London following a disappointing spell at AC Milan, was also nowhere to be seen as West Ham United limped to an uninspiring draw in Essex.
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Injury kept Niclas Fullkrug out as West Ham United took on Southend
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side face Stevenage in their second official pre-season match on Wednesday night. And, with opportunities away from West Ham still yet to present themselves, there is a chance that Fullkrug will have at least one last outing in a claret and blue jersey.
According to ExWhuEmployee, Fullkrug missed that Southend draw due to an injury he picked up just before kick-off at Roots Hall. The former Borussia Dortmund striker was pictured back in training on Monday, however, suggesting that he will be available for the midweek trip to Broadhall Way.
Whether Nuno uses him, though, remains to be seen.
Of course, if Fullkrug was to prove his fitness while getting a couple of goals under his belt, that could only be a good thing. Whether that be drumming up interest from elsewhere, or by suggesting that the German could still have a part to play in a West Ham jersey.
There are some who feel Fullkrug could be a revelation in the Championship.
How would YOU feel if Nuno gave a fresh start to these Hammers flops? 🧐
Then again, days after yet another injury saw him miss yet another game, patience is understandably running extremely low; like trying to squeeze that last tiny dollop of toothpaste out of a scrunched-up tube.
Since joining the Hammers in a £27 million deal during the summer of 2023 – thanks for that, Tim Steidten – Fullkrug has missed 34 matches for club and country.
He did score, however, in that aforementioned 3-2 win over Colchester behind-closed-doors.
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