West Ham United have been hit with an injury scare after Niclas Fullkrug limped out of Germany duty with a calf problem.
The West Ham striker, who joined from Borussia Dortmund last summer for £27 million, was withdrawn ahead of Germany’s shock 2-0 defeat to Slovakia.
While Julian Nagelsmann has downplayed the issue, describing it as a precautionary measure rather than a long-term concern, West Ham fans will feel uneasy.
Fullkrug’s career in claret and blue has been blighted by recurring fitness problems, including calf and tendon issues that kept him sidelined for much of last season.
His inability to cope with the pace of English football has already drawn criticism, and this latest setback only adds to the sense of deja vu.
Fullkrug’s popularity in the dressing room and among fans is not in question, but his lack of mobility and constant injury niggles continue to frustrate supporters.
For manager Graham Potter, the timing could not be worse.
West Ham return from the international break with back-to-back London derbies against Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace.
Without Fullkrug, [who reportedly earns £90,000 per week](https://capology.com/player/niclas-fullkrug-34009/), Callum Wilson is the only recognised senior forward.
The 33-year-old, who arrived on a free transfer in the summer, has shown flashes of quality, but he too carries a lengthy injury record.
With Michail Antonio, Danny Ings, and Evan Ferguson all gone, Wilson now shoulders the full burden of leading the line in matches that could define the Hammers’ season.
He did show glimpses of his terrific ability, scoring in the win versus Nottingham Forest, but West Ham fans will be holding their breath regarding his fitness.
The lack of depth up front stems from the club’s failure to land a young striker in the transfer window (View).
Dynamic Senegalese prospect [Idrissa Gueye](https://westhamblog.co.uk/posts/west-ham-pushing-to-sign-idrissa-gueye-talks-are-progressing-well/), admired by Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay, ultimately joined Udinese on loan with an option to buy.
Many supporters are rightly asking why West Ham did not attempt a similar creative deal to secure his services.
Instead, the Hammers are left with two ageing, injury-prone strikers and no long-term solution.