West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui has confirmed that striker Niclas Fullkrug is facing an injury setback ahead of their upcoming Premier League match against Fulham. In a press conference on 12 September, Lopetegui provided updates on both Fullkrug and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, revealing mixed news for the Hammers.
Fullkrug, who recently joined West Ham, sustained an injury while on international duty with Germany. The forward is believed to have picked up an Achilles issue, and his availability for the Fulham match remains uncertain.
“He has a bit of a problem, which is a pity,” Lopetegui said when asked about Fullkrug’s condition. “We’ll see later today. I think tomorrow we’ll take the final decision about him.”
On a more positive note, Lopetegui confirmed that French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola is fit to play after being substituted at halftime during West Ham’s recent match against Manchester City. “He’s OK. He’s recovered well,” the manager stated.
West Ham have endured a mixed start to the Premier League season, suffering defeats to champions Manchester City and Aston Villa. However, they secured a valuable win against Crystal Palace away from home, a venue known for being a difficult place to earn points.