West Ham United Head Coach Graham Potter has revealed that Niclas Füllkrug continues to make good progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury.
The Germany forward has been absent from first team-action since suffering the problem in Potter's first match in charge in east London, at Aston Villa in January.
However, he has now resumed training with the squad and is edging ever closer to a return to action.
While Saturday's Premier League trip to Everton might come too soon for the striker, Potter is delighted that he will soon be able to call upon Füllkrug again.
Elsewhere, Crysencio Summerville (hamstring) remains sidelined, but Lucas Paquetá returned to the squad following an ankle issue for Monday's meeting with Newcastle United and Vladimír Coufal (hamstring) could also be available once more.
"We’re pretty much as we were in terms of team news," Potter said in Thursday afternoon's pre-match press conference,
"There were no problems from the Newcastle game. So, in terms of the injured players, Füllkrug's been training with the group, but still not ready to start.
"We'll assess over the next 24 hours, I guess, whether he's available, but I think it's more after the international break for him, just to get some training in him. But it's nice to have him with the group. Summerville is still at the other side of the international break.
"I think it's fair for the individual to treat their diagnosis and the treatment privately. That's always the case, but he certainly won't be back this side of the international break."
The Head Coach also spoke about the progress Jean-Clair Todibo has been making since his return to the fold.
The centre-back has started the last three matches, playing around 65 minutes of each, and now Potter believes he is getter closer to being ready to feature for the full 90 minutes.
"Normally when you're out for a period of time, especially with the type of injury that he had, you'd normally build up the minutes," he explained.
"It's hard to expect him to go into 90 minutes straight away. He's doing Ramadan as well, so it's the first week. Obviously there's complications there around diet and recovery, [so we just need to] be mindful of that on the back of an injury.
"He's getting stronger and stronger and he's available for close to 90 for this game."
Finally, the boss was thrilled to see Michail Antonio back at London Stadium this week, where the striker received a terrific reception from the Claret and Blue Army ahead of kick-off against Newcastle as he continues his recovery from a serious car accident.
"On Monday night, Michail Antonio got an unbelievable reception," he added. "I think it's too early to say [in terms of timeline for a return]. I wouldn't want to put that type of deadline or pressure on him. It's great that he's here.
"It's great that he's making the progress he is, and we need to carry on supporting him. It's day by day, week by week, and then we'll see."
