Insights

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui is optimistic about Niclas Fullkrug's fitness ahead of the Premier League match against Fulham, despite conflicting reports from Germany's head coach Julian Nagelsmann. Fullkrug, who recently transferred from Borussia Dortmund for £23 million, missed Germany's recent 2-2 draw with the Netherlands due to a calf and Achilles tendon issue. Nagelsmann indicated that while the injury is not serious, Fullkrug would need a few days off and would not participate in the upcoming match. Lopetegui, however, has not dismissed the possibility of Fullkrug playing and plans to assess his condition on Friday. He noted that Fullkrug showed improvement on Wednesday and expressed hope that the injury is not significant. The West Ham manager is keen to have all available players for the challenging fixture against Fulham. In the absence of Fullkrug, Michail Antonio has been the preferred choice in the striker position, although he returned to training late after international duty with Jamaica. Lopetegui is also considering using Jarrod Bowen in a central forward role, as Bowen has experience playing there for both club and country. The situation highlights the challenges faced by Lopetegui in selecting the right team for the match, emphasizing the importance of having a fully fit squad. The final decision on Fullkrug's participation will be made after further evaluation, reflecting the manager's cautious approach to player fitness ahead of a crucial game.