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Jarrod Bowen is set to captain West Ham United against Newcastle United on Monday night.
West Ham United boss Graham Potter believes there is still more to come from Jarrod Bowen following his comeback from injury.
Bowen suffered a foot fracture in the Hammers’ 5-0 defeat at home to Liverpool on December 29, ruling him out for five matches in total - four of which were Potter’s opening games in charge after succeeding Julen Lopetegui.
Since returning at the beginning of February, Bowen has started all four fixtures and scored against both Chelsea and Arsenal to take his tally to eight for the campaign.
Next up is the visit of Newcastle United to the London Stadium on Monday night and Potter is anticipating a better Bowen.
“Jarrod has been fantastic,” Potter told reporters at his pre-match press conference. “I think when you have a number of weeks off, it’s hard to expect that you’re going to be in absolutely top form from the first or second game.
“For him, he’s contributed to the team in a good way but I think there is still room for him as well to improve, so that’s exciting for us and for him because he’s still been a huge influence on the team. To have him on the pitch for us is massive.
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“It’s credit to him and how he has conducted himself through the rehab process that he’s come back in such a good way but I think he’ll get better and better with more rhythm, more games and more training but we’ve been delighted with him.”
Jarrod Bowen almost signed for Newcastle United
Had things worked out differently then Bowen could have been lining up in black and white on Monday evening.
Steve Bruce, who first signed the 28-year-old for Hull City from non-league side Hereford, attempted to reunite with him on Tyneside in January 2020 but Newcastle - owned by Mike Ashley at the time - to sanction a deal.
Explaining the tale, Bowen told Sky Sports: "He said it as well. Sometimes when you say things and you don't get backed up, you look a little bit like you're lying almost.
"He signed me for Hull from Hereford. He always said he paid money for me, but he never did because I was on a free, which I never understand.
"He gave me the opportunity at Hull and was great with me. He gave me a start in my journey at a club like Hull, which, at the time, was an incredible feeling. I had a really good five or six years there and, then, that deadline day, he tried to sign me at Newcastle.
"I almost thought I was going there. It was pretty nailed on - it was almost done - but then they wouldn't pay the money and West Ham swooped in.
"I was waiting at the services thinking, 'Am I going north or am I going south?' I ended up going south and I've never looked back since.”
West Ham paid a fee totalling around £20million for Bowen, which has proven to be an inspired move. Bowen has made 227 appearances and scored 68 goals, including the winner in the Europa Conference final. He now captains the club.
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