West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo claps with striker Niclas Fullkrug surrounded by rain
Credit: Imago
Evan Lloyd
Tue 28 October 2025 22:11, UK
Nuno Espirito Santo will be without several key men when his West Ham side take on Newcastle United on Sunday.
West Ham lost 2-1 to Leeds United last week, and are still searching for their first victory under new manager Nuno.
The former Tottenham boss has only been in charge for just over a month but has already overseen three Premier League losses across four games.
And with West Ham facing a brutal run of Premier League fixtures over the next two months, the manager is already facing significant pressure at the London Stadium.
Newcastle are the favourites against West Ham, and for good reason, with the Hammers yet to win a game since the end of August.
West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug in a white t-shirt
Credit: Imago
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Konstantinos Mavropanos is set to be out of action for West Ham for around four-to-six weeks, in a latest blow to Nuno.
The defender had become key this season, but suffered a serious hamstring tear in the closing minutes of the Hammers’ loss to Brentford.
But there is positive news for the Irons’ boss, with the West Ham Way reporting on Tuesday that Niclas Fullkrug has returned to individual training after suffering a muscle injury on international duty.
Nuno had said that the German would be out for a while, but it should not be long before the striker returns to full team training.
George Earthy is also close to completing his recovery, with the outlet reporting that the midfielder is back in full training and will play some minutes for West Ham‘s Under-21s against Swindon Town on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old is yet to play a minute of senior football this season, but could take a place in the squad to face Newcastle as Nuno searches for solutions to problems across the pitch.
George Earthy can provide something different for West Ham
Speaking to The Athletic earlier this year, Earthy confessed his love for West Ham.
“It would mean a lot to me to be a first-team regular at West Ham,” the young midfielder said. “My family are West Ham crazy so to fully cement a place in the team would mean everything.
“I’m still a season ticket holder, so I know how it feels to be a West Ham fan. I know how the supporters feel during a win, defeat or draw.”
George Earthy Championship 2024-25
Appearances 37
Goals 3
Assists 1
Chances created 13
Duels won 40
Shots 24
There are few players in Nuno’s squad who can share the same passion. That is not to say that Earthy is the solution to West Ham’s issues – the 21-year-old scored just three goals on loan in the Championship last season.
But at a point in which the Hammers are far too often accused of lacking any care or wanting to get out of the hole they find themselves in, an injection of genuine drive may be exactly what is needed.
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