Mohammed Kudus is set to make his return for West Ham United following a five-game suspension. The Ghanaian forward was sent off on October 19 during a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur after an argument that involved him slapping and pushing two opposing players.
Initially handed a three-match suspension, the ban was extended to five games for violent conduct, accompanied by a £60,000 fine from the English FA. Kudus’ absence coincided with a challenging period for the Hammers, who recorded mixed results, including defeats to Manchester United, Everton, Arsenal, and Nottingham Forest, while managing a win over Newcastle United.
Ahead of a critical fixture against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, manager Julen Lopetegui expressed optimism about Kudus’ availability, noting its significance in the team’s push to regain momentum during a demanding December schedule.
“Let’s see what’s going to happen with [Mohammed Kudus]. We’re not going to talk about the line-up,” Lopetegui stated. “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.”
The 24-year-old forward had scored twice in eight appearances prior to his suspension, and his return is expected to bolster West Ham’s attacking options as they aim for consistent results in the Premier League.
