West Ham United head coach Graham Potter says Jarrod Bowen could return ahead of schedule in his recovery from a fractured foot.
Bowen sustained the injury in the 5-0 loss against Liverpool and was expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks, but the 28-year-old forward posted a video of him jogging on a treadmill before last Friday’s third round FA Cup loss to Aston Villa. The England international has registered six goals and four assists across 21 appearances this season.
“I think if you speak to Jarrod, he will try to tell you he’s ahead of schedule, for sure,” said Potter. “He’s doing everything he can to get on the pitch as soon as possible. We just need to make sure it’s in a safe way, and it’s a good way for him because we want to get him back and we want him to stay back.
“Jarrod wants to be out there, he wants to play and we’re trying to pull the reins on him rather than the other way around. So he’s fantastic to have around the place. He is (an excited kid) but he’s just like chomping and he wants to get out and help.
“But he just has to take his medicine at the moment and just do his rehab properly. He was out jogging today with the individual physio, so it’s positive. I think if I’m looking at it now, Jarrod will be ahead of schedule rather than behind schedule.”
West Ham are in the market for a forward and have been linked with moves for Brighton & Hove Albion forward Evan Ferguson and Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford.
Bowen’s potential early return is a boost for Potter, with Niclas Fullkrug set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines. Fullkrug suffered a hamstring injury in the defeat to Aston Villa and had to be assisted off the field by members of Potter’s backroom staff. The Germany international was previously sidelined for three months with an Achilles tendon injury.
Crysencio Summerville had to be substituted at half-time during the loss and is an injury doubt for the next league game against Fulham.
“Fullkrug’s injury is a significant one,” said Potter. “When a player pulls up like that you know something serious has happened. He will be out for a number of weeks. It’s a minor one with him (Summerville). He felt something after about 35 minutes, and finished the first half probably not at 100 per cent. It’s touch and go for tomorrow, but more so towards the negative so let’s see.”
(Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
