West Ham Bournemouth Graham Potter
(Credit: Imago)
Max Wilkins
Thu 14 August 2025 13:40, UK
West Ham are preparing to begin their season with a trip to face Sunderland on Saturday.
The Hammers have had an up-and-down pre-season, but now attention must turn to Premier League action after 83 days away.
Graham Potter will now be hopeful that his side can perform closer to the level he expects after a difficult start to life at the London Stadium last term.
This has seen the Irons’ head coach speak out and offer a team news update ahead of his side’s journey to the Stadium of Light on 16 August.
Graham Potter sitting
Graham Potter and West Ham are preparing to face Sunderland (Credit: Imago)
Crysencio Summerville ruled out
Having brought in four fresh faces at this stage of the summer window, it will be interesting to see how the E20 club line up in the north east.
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Mads Hermansen is the latest signing from Leicester City, with many fans questioning who will be the number one moving deeper into the season.
This is just one of many dilemmas that Potter has to deal with moving into opening day against a side who have been far busier in the transfer market.
West Ham signings so far this summer:
El Hadji Malick Diouf
Callum Wilson
Kyle Walker-Peters
Mads Hermansen
With that being said, the Hammers’ boss can only focus on his own side and put out an 11 which he believes can get the job done against the newly promoted side.
Having now spoken out in his pre-match press conference (14 August), Potter has now revealed he will be without Crysencio Summerville for the trip to face the Mackems.
He said: “We’ve still got Crysencio Summerville in the last stages of his rehab, so he won’t be available, but he’s getting really close.
“George Earthy still has an injury that he sustained early in pre-season. Apart from that, we’re pretty much close to full availability.”
West Ham must start season on right foot
After what was a frustrating opening spell under the ex-Brighton boss last campaign, it is fair to imagine that the Englishman is on thin ice.
As a result, a defeat on opening day against a side who were in League One just three years ago would be hugely frustrating for the claret and blue faithful.
Position Club Points
4. Sheffield Wednesday 85
5. Sunderland 84
6. Wycombe Wanderers 83
League One final table 2021/22
With that in mind, Potter has to make the most of the squad he has and rely on the likes of Jarrod Bowen to pull his side over the line once again.
It will be interesting to see how the Irons cope against the Black Cats, especially given their unpredictable nature with 11 new signings.
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