Lopetegui on injuries, his future and goalkeeper decision

ben ramsdale - bbc sport journalist

Fri, 22 Nov 2024, 9:10 am·2-min read

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game at Newcastle United (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

Lopetegui confirmed there is a "little problem with two players" before the trip to Newcastle but when pressed, refused to give names.
He added that Niclas Fullkrug remains out but says that the German "is improving" as he continues to recover from an Achilles tendon injury.
On reports that he has two games to save his job: "The only thing I am focused on is to be able to go to Newcastle ready for a very tough match against a very good team. We have to be ready to improve and overcome the difficulties that we are going to have as a team. That is the only thing I am focused on."
On whether he has spoken to owner David Sullivan about his future: "We talk every week. I am not going to tell you about what I speak to David about."
On Jarrod Bowen scoring his first goal for England: "It is always good for our players when they score goals . He was happy with this goal and he was able to play two more games with the England national team so we are happy for him."
Lopetegui was asked whether he has a clear first choice goalkeeper: "We have good keepers and it's up to me, I have to choose. I choose on who I think is going to help more in each match. I am happy with Alphonse [Areola] but I decided to change it one day so let's see what is going to happen. It's not that one player has to play always. I am here to take decisions and I am always trying to take the best decision for the team."