Niclas Fullkrug arrived at the London Stadium from Borussia Dortmund for around £27 million in the summer – a deal that many West Ham fans were not too keen on.

And after the 31-year-old striker started his journey, Tim Steidten looked pretty silly.

Sure, he didn’t play much, but when he stepped on the pitch, he simply wasn’t quick enough.

The situation is even more frustrating because some of the strikers we were linked with in the summer are now completely flying – namely Jhon Duran.

No official date has been set for Fullkrug’s return, but the Hammers are said to be trying “alternative means” to get him ready and fit to play.

The wisdom of this can be questioned, but we will have to wait and see whether it will bear fruit.

Many fans expect the German national team to wait a long time before we see him in action.

However, this may all change after a report specialising in player injuries made a new claim about Fullkrug.

Niclas Fullkrug’s return date could shock West Ham fans

The former Borussia Dortmund player has had a tough time since swapping Germany for England in the summer.

He has played just 63 minutes of Premier League football, so it seems too harsh to write him off as a failure already.

But the warning signs are definitely there.

Fullkrug will turn 32 in the New Year and, on the little evidence we have seen so far, he simply does not appear to have the legs required to play in the Premier League.

It really bothers me that we didn’t go all out to sign someone like Jhon Duran or Jonathan David in the summer instead of the 31-year-old.

However, it goes without saying that when he comes back into the game he will have the full support of the fans.

When will that happen?

According to Premier Injuries, Fullkrug could be back in action for West Ham on 30 November when they host Arsenal.

If Fullkrug were to return to the Kladivar squad for the Arsenal game, it would be a big shock.

The West Ham team took an official team photo last week with Niclas Fullkrug, who was absent.

The Hammers photoshopped the German into the picture, and in a very amateurish way, it has to be admitted!

If he was not able to take part in the team photo, I highly doubt he will be back in time to play for the Kladivars against Arsenal.

Niclas Fullkrug’s career at West Ham could have ended before it started

Things have gone from bad to worse for Fullkrug in the last few months.

He has not played for the Kladivari for more than two months due to an Achilles tendon injury and has lost his place in the German national team.

If he is back in action and fully fit before the January window, the Kladivars will certainly be tempted to buy him if an offer is made.

It is not yet known whether West Ham will be interested in Niclas Fullkrug.

Most of the top clubs who can afford a decent transfer price for him will surely be put off by his recent injury problems.

Over the last few years, he has proven to be a very good central striker at Dortmund and in Germany.

The Premier League is completely different from any other league in the world.

And I really doubt that Fullkrug will ever make it at the London Stadium, unfortunately.