West Ham race against time to field forgotten £27.5m 'excellent' bagsman against Newcastle United and Arsenal

Julen Lopetegui and West Ham are in desperate need of Premier League results but the immediate fixtures after the international break are some of the toughest of the season with a trip to Newcastle United and the visit of Arsenal.

The Hammers have just three wins to their name in the opening 11 matches this season with pressure rising on the new Spanish boss. Lopetegui was said to be facing the sack should he have failed to get a result against Everton before the break and, while he managed a point in a 0-0 draw, that performance failed to ease the fears around the London Stadium.

West Ham are in need of a boost and will be hoping that comes sooner rather than later in the return of summer signing Niclas Fullkrug. The London outfit forked out £27.5 million to bring the Borussia Dortmund man to the club this summer in a move that turned heads at the time.

The player did bag 16 goals in all competitions last term but is known for his more old-fashioned striking style. Fullkrug has managed just 63 minutes in the Premier League so far this term amid an Achilles injury.

Having flown back to Germany for treatment, the striker has already become somewhat of a forgotten man at West Ham with some already writing the transfer off as a flop. However, Fullkrug has hardly had time to settle into the top flight and is certainly still to be afforded the chance to prove his goalscoring exploits can transfer from Germany to the UK.

McCoist - ‘Fullkrug can finish’

Speaking about the player during Euro 2024 this summer, Ally McCoist told TNT Sports: “I’m a fan of Niclas Fullkrug. Nothing wrong with an old-fashioned centre forward that can play.

“Every time I’ve seen Fullkrug, he’s impressed me. His game knowledge is good, his touch is excellent, he can finish, he’s aggressive … I think he’s a good player.”

West Ham could do with that added impetus now and there are some faint hopes that the striker could return against Newcastle United or Arsenal. At the end of October, Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg wrote: "Niclas Fullkrug is continuing to work hard on his comeback for West Ham United. His Achilles tendon injury is persistent, but he is expected to return to the pitch in the coming days and should be back in the squad after the international break.

"As of now, Füllkrug isn’t considering a departure in winter. #WHUFC also don't want to let the 31y/o leave and believe in German striker. A sale is currently not on the table."

West Ham striker eased back into training

The trip to Newcastle United is the first match after the international break for West Ham and, while that had been earmarked as a potential return date for the player, seeing his name in the matchday squad would still be somewhat of a surprise. The Evening Standard has reported that the player has not trained with the first team since early October but, perhaps hopefully, is back in London taking part in indoor training with 'some limited work out on the grass'.

It is thought that West Ham will not play Fullkrug if he is at risk of another injury setback but, should he miss the clash against the Magpies, the meeting against Arsenal at the end of the month could become a target return date.