BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Niclas Fuellkrug of West Ham United leaves the field after receiving medical treatment to an injury during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park on January 10, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
West Ham United head coach Graham Potter has issued an update on his squad ahead of their Premier League clash against Everton on Saturday.
The English tactician has confirmed that German striker Niclas Fullkrug is edging closer to a return, but the trip to Goodison Park may come too soon for him.
Fullkrug has been out of action since suffering a hamstring injury in Potter’s first game in charge against Aston Villa in January.
He has now returned to first-team training and is making steady progress, but Potter is in no mood to rush his recovery.
“Fullkrug’s been training with the group, but still not ready to start,” Potter confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
“We’ll assess over the next 24 hours, I guess, whether he’s available.
“But I think it’s more after the international break for him, just to get some training in him. But it’s nice to have him with the group.”
Meanwhile, Crysencio Summerville is still out with a hamstring issue and isn’t expected to return until after the international break.
“Summerville is still at the other side of the international break,” Potter said. “I think it’s fair for the individual to treat their diagnosis and the treatment privately.
“That’s always the case, but he certainly won’t be back this side of the international break.”
Potter also touched on the progress of centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, who has started the last three games but has yet to complete a full 90 minutes.
The Frenchman is working on getting back to full fitness following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
“Normally, when you’re out for a period of time, especially with the type of injury that he had, you’d normally build up the minutes,” Potter explained.
