West Ham: Nuno Espirito Santo hints at first start for young star after injury blow | OneFootball

The Hammers are uncertain when their first-choice centre forward will return

Nuno Espirito Santo has not placed a timeline on Niclas Fullkrug’s return to fitness from a thigh injury suffered in training before the international break.

“Apart from that, it is just George [Earthy] who is out.”

With Fullkrug absent, the Portuguese will now look to Callum Wilson, who has struggled with his own fitness problems, and 20-year-old academy graduate Callum Marshall to lead the line against the Bees.

Marshall came off the bench against Arsenal two weeks ago for his first Premier League appearance

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Marshall has impressed Nuno in training, and it was a huge show of faith from the West Ham boss to bring him on ahead of Wilson against Arsenal.

Nuno admitted after the game that Marshall was competing for minutes with Fullkrug and Wilson, and the Hammers’ head coach said the Northern Ireland international would be in contention for a first Premier League start against Brentford.

“It is a healthy fight for the position. They're different players, but it's a good situation.”