After a challenging three-month recovery from a hamstring injury, Niclas Fullkrug is gradually working his way back into action.
The German striker has made a strong impact during his brief substitute appearances since returning, but West Ham manager Graham Potter is taking a cautious approach before deciding whether Fullkrug is ready to start in the crucial upcoming match against Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Fullkrug’s Impact Despite Limited Minutes
Fullkrug’s return to the pitch has been met with optimism, as he immediately showed his potential.
In his two substitute appearances, he made an impression by hitting the bar and setting up a late chance to rescue a point against Wolves.
In a later match against Bournemouth, he scored a powerful header just seven minutes after coming on.
Despite these positive contributions, Potter understands the importance of managing Fullkrug’s fitness carefully.
The striker has had a difficult season due to his injury struggles, and the team needs to ensure he’s fully ready before pushing him into a starting role.
Potter’s Patience and the Need for Fullkrug’s Return
Potter is keen to have Fullkrug in the starting lineup, particularly given West Ham’s struggles in front of goal.
Since Potter replaced Julen Lopetegui, West Ham has scored fewer goals than all but relegation-threatened Leicester.
However, Potter remains patient, acknowledging that Fullkrug’s fitness must be the top priority.
“He’s clearly a top player,” said Potter. “You can see the impact he’s had when he’s been on the pitch.
He offers us different options in attack and has a fantastic personality.
We like him a lot, but we need to manage his injury properly.”
Potter also noted that Fullkrug had experienced some minor fatigue after his recent appearances but is hopeful that the striker will be fully fit to feature in the squad for the weekend’s game.
West Ham’s Struggles and the Need for Fullkrug’s Presence
West Ham’s performance against Bournemouth highlighted the team’s struggles without Fullkrug.
The Hammers were booed off at halftime, but Fullkrug’s introduction in the second half turned the game around, drawing the match 1-1.
With a tough upcoming fixture against Liverpool, West Ham will need their key players fit and firing if they hope to avoid slipping further down the table.
Potter’s West Ham have only managed 12 points in their first 11 games under his leadership and could drop to 17th place if results don’t go their way this weekend.
The attack has been a major concern, with only Leicester taking fewer shots per game in the league.
Potter believes that improving the team’s attack is crucial but that the focus must also remain on defensive improvements, especially given West Ham’s leaky backline.
The Bigger Picture: Balancing Defence and Attack
Despite these struggles, Potter remains optimistic about West Ham’s progress.
He pointed out that the team had conceded over 50 goals in the 25 matches before his arrival.
While much work remains to be done, Potter believes the team is making strides.
“We’ve definitely made progress, but there’s a balance between defence and attack,” Potter said. “We want to improve in both areas.
We need to play better and score more goals, but we also need to keep working on our defence. It’s all about taking it one game at a time and finishing the season strong.”
