EXCLUSIVE; West Ham announce a major fresh blow to key player on the eve of Brentford match.

Julen Lopetegui has suffered a major new blow to one of his key players as West Ham’s situation worsens.

Julen Lopetegui, the new manager of West Ham United, must have had a difficult transition.

Since taking over from media darling David Moyes, the Spaniard has been the target of the press.

In reality, Lopetegui has faced criticism for walking out on Wolves last summer.

The new West Ham manager hasn’t helped himself in many ways.

Fans have harshly questioned Lopetegui’s team selection and tactics.

Results have been terrible, with only one Premier League win out of five.

Just when it appeared that the penny had fallen against Liverpool in midweek, a succession of errors by players and referees resulted in another Hammers collapse, this time in a 5-1 defeat.

Liverpool’s goal was offside, West Ham had three penalties knocked down, and Max Kilman, Carlos Soler, and Crysencio Summerville squandered golden opportunities.

Summerville’s seen the manager leap in the air in frustration. When he landed, he twisted his calf and has been on crutches ever since.

To add salt to the wound, Edson Alvarez was sent off, meaning the Mexican midfielder will miss the Premier League match against Brentford.

He will not be the only player absent, however, as Hammers News can exclusively reveal.

On the eve of the Brentford game, West Ham announced a devastating new blow to a top player.

Hammers supporters might be excused for forgetting that the team recruited a fresh new international striker this summer.

West Ham’s best player suffers a devastating blow.

Irons technical director Tim Steidten signed a £23.5 million contract with Borussia Dortmund for his compatriot, Niclas Fullkrug.

Some West Ham supporters were torn over the transfer.

Many believed West Ham should have signed a younger, faster striker than Fullkrug, who was 31 years old and had a problematic injury record.

Especially because their only other forward alternatives, aside from Jarrod Bowen, are the elderly combo Michail Antonio and Danny Ings.

Nobody doubts Fullkrug’s abilities as a top-tier finisher and target man.

Steidten stated that the German international was ‘exactly what West Ham needed’ as a focal point for their pacy, skilled, strong, yet small attacking unit.

However, Fullkrug spent the first three Premier League games on the bench, much to the dissatisfaction of fans.

Fullkrug clarified that he did not join West Ham to serve as Antonio’s backup.

After Germany scored another goal during the international break, fans demanded that Fullkrug start against Fulham.

However, the West Ham striker curse hit.

Fullkrug was forced to withdraw from the German squad due to Achilles tendon and calf injuries.

Initially, it was thought that the hit would keep Fullkrug out for six weeks.

Lopetegui was relieved when a club insider said the attacker would just miss the Fulham encounter.

He was once again absent from the loss to Chelsea last Saturday. Lopetegui then stated that he had been training but was not part of Liverpool’s squad.

Fullkrug is sidelined until after the October international break.

Unfortunately, Hammers News can now announce that Fullkrug will miss not just the Brentford game, but also Ipswich next weekend.

He is sidelined until after the October international break.

Hammers News asked West Ham’s senior spokesman about Fullkrug’s possibilities with Brentford.

“He will not return until after the next international break,” a top person close to West Ham’s owners informed Hammers News.

That means Fullkrug will not be able to return to action until at least the important game against Spurs on October 19th.

It’s another shattering setback to Lopetegui.

And it comes back the question of whether West Ham was correct to authorize this move in the first place.

Fullkrug’s awful injury record throughout his career is clear to observe.

Yes, it has improved in recent seasons. However, when he initially came, the striker stated that he needed to practice every day and play every week in order to stay strong and prevent injuries.

Vice-chair Karren Brady claimed that the first thing Fullkrug asked her after joining for West Ham was ‘where can I train’.

Unfortunately, Lopetegui is now faced with yet another problem concerning who to start in front of the Bees.

Antonio excelled as a replacement for Liverpool.

However, he has struggled thus far this season while beginning.

Either he or Ings must start doing the job, or Lopetegui may have to play Bowen instead, with Kudus and Summerville on either side.

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