West Ham United manager Graham Potter is sweating over the fitness of striker Niclas Fullkrug ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield.
Fullkrug just returned from a serious hamstring injury that kept him out for three months, so Potter is in no rush to get him back to first-team duties.
However, the Englishman is stuck between a rock and a hard place, with his side gearing up for a daunting trip to Anfield.
The German striker showed Potter exactly what his side had been missing when he marked his return with a fantastic cameo against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
While he didn’t get on the score sheet, Fullkrug made himself a nuisance and was nearly rewarded for his attacking endeavour but was denied by the frame of the goal.
Despite coming off the bench, the 32-year-old won three of his five aerial duels and nearly set up a late equaliser.
Fullkrug wouldn’t be denied in the subsequent game against Bournemouth despite starting on the bench.
He netted the equaliser as the Hammers played out a 2-2 draw.
West Ham face Liverpool next and Potter is weighing up the possibility of handing Fullkrug his first start since January but is cautious about a relapse.
“Clearly, he’s [Fullkrug] a top player,” Potter said in his pre-match press conference.
“We like him a lot, but he’s had a season that’s been really complicated in terms of injury, so we’re now managing that process and trying to make sure that he gets enough time on the pitch.
“He’s trained with the team today, so hopefully there’s no reaction, and he’ll be in the squad for the weekend.”
West Ham have gotten worse in the final third since Potter came in.
Only relegation-bound Leicester City have scored fewer goals than the Hammers since the Englishman replaced Julen Lopetegui.
The Hammers have managed just 12 points in 11 games under the former Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion manager, and their lack of attacking firepower continues to be a concern.