Graham Potter in huge blow as West Ham star Niclas Fullkrug pulls hamstring live on TV and collapses to ground
NICLAS FULLKRUG was forced off with an injury just 15 minutes into Graham Potter’s first game in charge of West Ham.
The German, 31, appeared to pull up with a hamstring issue before falling to the ground.
Team-mate Edson Alvarez attempted to comfort Fullkrug, who winced in pain as he lay on the turf.
The striker was subsequently helped off and replaced by Danny Ings.
Fullkrug had been making just his 11th appearance for West Ham since his summer switch from Borussia Dortmund.
He was previously ruled out for three months of the campaign with an Achilles issue.
The bustling forward had been involved in West Ham’s opening goal at Villa Park in just the ninth minute.
He headed a long ball down to Lucas Paqueta, who subsequently passed the ball out wide to Crysencio Summerville.
The former Leeds winger drove down the wing before cutting the ball back to Paqueta, who swept a shot beyond Villa keeper Robin Olsen.
West Ham are light up front having suffered with several injury issues.
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Michail Antonio was hospitalised for more than three weeks in December following a frightening car crash.
The forward, who was discharged from hospital on December 31, broke his leg in the crash and is sidelined indefinitely.
Captain Jarrod Bowen, meanwhile, fractured his foot in the Hammers’ recent 5-0 defeat to Liverpool.
The West Ham favourite is set to be sidelined for around two months with the injury.
This leaves new boss Potter with Ings the only fit recognised striker in his squad.
Aston Villa suffered an injury blow of their own barely five minutes after Fullkrug was forced off.
Ross Barkley pulled up hurt, appearing to signal that he felt discomfort in his ankle.
The former Chelsea man received attention from medical staff, before having to go off.
Barkley, 31, was replaced by Amadou Onana on 23 minutes.