West Ham’s relegation fight has taken another worrying turn after Niclas Füllkrug sustained a fresh thigh injury, leaving new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo short of recognised strikers ahead of next Monday’s clash with Brentford.
The 32-year-old German forward was ruled out of his national team’s World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland and is now expected to miss several weeks, according to reports from the club.
It’s a cruel setback for Füllkrug, who joined from Borussia Dortmund in a £27 million move last summer but has struggled to stay fit. His latest issue comes after calf, Achilles, and hamstring problems that restricted him to just six league starts in his debut campaign.
For Nuno, who replaced Graham Potter amid a run of poor results, the timing could hardly be worse. The Hammers sit rooted in the bottom three after their joint-worst start to a Premier League season and have yet to earn a single point at the London Stadium. Can the Portuguese coach steady the ship before the mood turns toxic in east London?
Nuno Espirito Santo hit by Niclas Füllkrug injury setback
With Füllkrug sidelined, Nuno’s only senior centre-forward is Callum Wilson, now 33 and himself battling recurring fitness issues. Academy graduate Callum Marshall, who made his Premier League debut in the 4-0 defeat to Arsenal before the break, could again be called upon.
Reports suggest Wilson was overlooked at the Emirates Stadium due to concerns over his match sharpness, meaning the young Marshall may be thrust into another high-pressure role. It’s a thin line between opportunity and overload for the 19-year-old.
“We’ve got to adapt quickly. It’s never ideal losing experienced players, but we’ll find solutions.” — Nuno Espirito Santo (post-Arsenal press conference)
Füllkrug’s recent record at a glance
| Stat (2025/26) | Niclas Füllkrug |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 7 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Pass Accuracy | 74 % |
source: sofascore match data – 13 October 2025
Those numbers highlight just how difficult the adaptation has been for Füllkrug in the Premier League. Despite flashes of intelligent link-up play, he’s lacked rhythm and confidence, both disrupted by repeated injuries.
Analyst Verdict — Liam Rowe, FootballPlace
In my view, Nuno’s immediate challenge isn’t tactical but structural. Without a fit target man, West Ham’s direct transitions and set-piece threat lose their focal point. The team’s expected goals tally has fallen by 25 per cent since August, a sign of the attacking dysfunction.
We believe the solution may involve repurposing Jarrod Bowen centrally or trialling a false-nine system — options that could stretch defences but would demand rapid adaptation on the training pitch. Either way, Nuno needs a result against Brentford to settle a nervy fanbase that’s planning a pre-match boycott over board issues.
Key Insights
- Füllkrug’s thigh tear rules him out for several weeks, adding to West Ham’s attacking crisis.
- Nuno Espirito Santo now has only Callum Wilson and Callum Marshall available up front.
- The Hammers remain winless at home and stuck in the relegation zone.
- Fan protests are expected before the Brentford fixture at the London Stadium.
- Nuno may be forced into a tactical reshuffle to generate goals.
What’s Next for West Ham
West Ham host Brentford on Monday 20 October 2025 — a fixture that could define the early days of Nuno’s tenure. Wilson’s fitness will be assessed later this week, while Marshall is expected to start if he fails to recover.
Beyond that, the club’s January recruitment plans may accelerate. A short-term striker loan is being explored, with scouts monitoring several European options to provide much-needed depth.
👉 Do you think Nuno can turn West Ham’s season around without a fit Füllkrug?
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