West Ham United’s manager, Julen Lopetegui, has confirmed that Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus is available for selection ahead of the Premier League clash with Leicester City on Tuesday, December 3. 

Kudus returns after serving a five-match suspension for violent conduct during the Hammers’ 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on 19 October. 

In a pre-match press conference on 2 December, Lopetegui expressed optimism about Kudus’ return, describing it as a significant boost for the team. “Mohammed Kudus is back. He’s missed a lot of matches, but he’s fit and ready, which is good news because it’s a good thing to have more players available,” the manager stated.  

Kudus’ return comes at a crucial time for West Ham, who are looking to bolster their attacking options amid a challenging run of form. The Hammers have scored more than one goal in just two of their last six matches and currently rely heavily on winger Jarrod Bowen, whose six combined goals and assists make him the squad’s top provider.  

Lopetegui also provided an update on German striker Niclas Fullkrug, who has been sidelined with injuries since joining the club. “[Fullkrug] is improving and is very close. Tomorrow, I think, is going to be difficult, but hopefully, he will be ready for the next matches,” the manager explained.  

Kudus, who joined West Ham from Ajax in the summer, has been a key figure for the Hammers when available, offering creative flair and goal-scoring ability in midfield. His return is expected to add much-needed dynamism to the team as they navigate a favourable fixture schedule during the festive period. 

For Lopetegui, the return of key players like Kudus will be vital as he seeks to ease pressure on his position. With the Hammers sitting mid-table, the Spanish manager will be hoping his squad’s offensive reinforcements can turn around their recent form and secure crucial points in the coming weeks.