West Ham will be looking for reinforcements up front next month, according to manager 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 for form and fitness since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
The January window is open and Lopetegui is hoping that technical director Tim Steidten can provide some reinforcements.
He said: “We have lost two important strikers but the club knows our needs and will work.
“The club is working to do this job and we have to focus on being ready to compete in games.
“I’m not talking about the market here – I’m more focused on the next few games and having all our strength and belief on Saturday. The players who are not here will not help us on Saturday.”
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Bowen out briefly – Lopetegui
Bowen’s broken leg – suffered in Sunday’s 5-0 home defeat by Premier League leaders Liverpool – is a particular blow.
“He’s not going to be out for a few days, for sure,” Lopetegui said 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’re sure he’ll work hard on his recovery because of his character. I prefer not to give several days, but we will see how things turn out.
“Jarod is one of our key players and our captain but we have to find solutions and it is up to the other players to show that they are ready. We are looking for Jarrod to recover quickly, but in the same way looking at the other players.”
Antonio spends time with family
Antonio suffered a broken lower limb in a car accident a month ago and won’t be back anytime soon.
“Michael will be out for a while, but it’s good that he’s home with his family,” added Lopetegui. “He’ll certainly try to recover as soon as possible, but we won’t have him back here for long.”
West Ham travel to Manchester City on Saturday with Alphonse Areola continuing in goal with Lukasz Fabianski sidelined with the head injury he suffered at Southampton on Boxing Day.
“We have to wait 10 days to fulfill the Premier League protocol, after that he will be ready to help us, but we are confident about Alphonse and Wes (Foderingham),” said former Real Madrid boss Lopetegui.
