West Ham will seek reinforcements in forward areas over the next month, according to boss Julen Lopetegui.
The Hammers have lost Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen to long-term injuries in recent weeks while Germany international Niclas Fullkrug has struggled with form and fitness since joining from Borussia Dortmund over the summer.
The January window is open and Lopetegui is hoping technical director Tim Steidten can provide some reinforcements.
He said: “We have lost two important forwards but the club knows our needs and will be working.
“The club is working to do this work, and we have to put our focus on being ready to compete in games.
“I don’t talk about the market here – I’m more focused on the next games, and having all our strengths and beliefs on Saturday. The players who aren’t here won’t help us on Saturday.”
Starting 2025 with a trip to Manchester 🚍 pic.twitter.com/mXeFzsaUPT
— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 1, 2025
📰 Table Of Contents
Bowen out for a while – Lopetegui
Bowen’s fractured foot – suffered during Sunday’s 5-0 defeat at home to Premier League leaders Liverpool – is a particular blow.
“He’s not going to be out for a few days, for sure,” said Lopetegui of the England winger.
“Unfortunately for us he has an injury, he played for 30 minutes with it, and now he has to recover.
“It’s not good news for us, but we are sure he will work hard on his recovery because of his character. I prefer not to give a number of days, but we’ll see how things develop.
“Jarrod is one of our main players, and our captain, but we have to find solutions, and it’s up to the other players to show they’re ready. We’re looking for Jarrod to recover quickly, but in the same way looking at the other players.”
Antonio spending time with family
Antonio sustained a lower limb fracture in a car crash a month ago and won’t be returning for the foreseeable future.
“Michail is going to be out for some time, but it’s good he’s home with his family,” added Lopetegui. “For sure he is going to try to recover as soon as possible but we’re not going to have him back here for a long time.”
West Ham go to Manchester City on Saturday with Alphonse Areola set to continue in goal with Lukasz Fabianski still out due to the head injury he suffered at Southampton on Boxing Day.
“We have to wait 10 days to fulfil the Premier League protocol, after that he will be ready to help us but we are confident in Alphonse and Wes [Foderingham],” said former Real Madrid boss Lopetegui.
