West Ham have £27m injury problem for Nottingham Forest as Julen Lopetegui makes ‘tough’ admission

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has confirmed the Hammers will continue to be without £27m striker Niclas Fullkrug against Nottingham Forest.

The German forward, who joined West Ham from Borussia Dortmund during the summer, has endured a frustrating start to life at his new club. He has not played since the end of August because of an Achilles injury, and Lopetegui has confirmed he will not return to his squad to face Forest at the City Ground on Saturday (3pm).

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Lopetegui said: “We don't have Niclas Füllkrug available. We don't have a date, he is working hard, but he is out.”

Forest will be aiming to continue their impressive start to the season against the Hammers. With four wins and just one defeat in their opening nine matches of the campaign, they are up in seventh place in the Premier League. They are five points above West Ham, who are in 13th place.

“It's a very tough game,” added Lopetegui. “They have a lot of points because they have good players, a good coach and they are a very good team. We have to be ready because it's going to be a big challenge.

“The next game is always the hardest, in our eyes. I think Forest are a team that are hard for every team.”

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