West Ham United manager, Julen Lopetegui has hailed the return of Mohammed Kudus to the team as a boost ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
The 24-year-old is eligible to play again after completing a five-game suspension following a straight red card during West Ham’s 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
His dismissal initially carried a three-match ban but was extended by an additional two games due to violent conduct, along with a hefty fine.
Speaking ahead of West Ham’s clash with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night, Lopetegui expressed his satisfaction at Kudus’ return.
While he stopped short of confirming whether the former Ajax attacker would start the game, the manager highlighted the positive impact of having him available.
“Let’s see what’s going to happen with [Mohammed Kudus]. We’re not going to talk about the line-up,” said Lopetegui, who previously managed Wolves and Real Madrid.
“It’s true that he’s now available after being out for a long time, too. He’s ready, working well and happy to be back, which is good news for us because we have a lot of upcoming matches in a row, and it’s a good thing we have as many options as possible for these games,” he added.
During Kudus’ absence, West Ham experienced mixed results, recording two wins, two losses, and a draw. His return is expected to add depth to the squad as they navigate a busy schedule.
