The Hammers have a severe lack of options in key areas, but particularly up front.<\/p>\n
Underinvestment in the summer has meant West Ham are just an injury to Crysencio Summerville<\/a> or Jarrod Bowen away from crisis.<\/p>\n So the last thing Nuno needed was Summerville picking up a new injury of late, just a couple of months after returning from spending most of the year recovering from a serious injury.<\/p>\n West Ham and Bowen not the same without Summerville<\/p>\n Summerville spent eight months out after initially opting to try and heal naturally from his injury sustained at Villa Park back in January before admitting defeat and going under the knife after a setback when he tried to return to West Ham training.<\/p>\n Summerville is vital to the Hammers with his electric pace and skill. <\/p>\n He is also key for captain Bowen. When Summerville plays, the opposition cannot afford to double up on Bowen.<\/p>\n When Summerville is out, though, West Ham\u2019s lack of quality options in attack means opponents know they just have to stop Bowen and they can stop the Hammers.<\/p>\n Nuno Espirito Santo should risk starting Crysencio Summerville v Brighton. What do you make of his impact this season? <\/p>\n \ud83d\udc47 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say <\/p>\n Summerville\u2019s shock absence from the squad for the draw at Bournemouth was a huge blow.<\/p>\n Insiders reassured fans that Summerville\u2019s injury was only a \u2018minor knock\u2019.<\/p>\n But concerns have been growing since the \u00a326m man missed the Liverpool and Man United games since.<\/p>\n Bowen has looked exhausted in recent games and not having Summerville to share the attacking load with has not helped.<\/p>\n The Hammers have a chance of climbing out of the Premier League relegation zone when they go to Brighton on Sunday.<\/p>\n Burnley, Leeds and Forest each face tough games against Newcastle, Liverpool and Everton respectively.<\/p>\n Summerville drops big West Ham return hint<\/p>\n So victory for Nuno\u2019s side at the Amex could be a huge shot in the arm.<\/p>\n Lucas Paqueta will return after a one-game ban and Nuno says the Brazilian will start against Brighton.<\/p>\n The big question on everyone\u2019s lips has been whether Summerville might too.<\/p>\n Now West Ham have received a major Summerville injury boost as the Hammers star drops a big recovery hint.<\/p>\n The Dutch winger, who joined the Hammers last summer from Leeds, has endured a frustrating first 18 months in east London.<\/p>\n But comments from Nuno and now a cryptic update from the player himself have sparked optimism that Summerville could soon be back in action, possibly even at Brighton. <\/p>\n How are you feeling ahead of West Ham\u2019s Brighton trip? What are your pre-match predictions? <\/p>\n \ud83d\udc47 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say <\/p>\n \u201cI think hopefully Crysencio returns soon,\u201d Nuno told the press in his latest West Ham press conference<\/a>, titled \u2018Summerville close to return.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe miss him, we know what he gives to the team. <\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see, we need all the players. I hope he can be back.\u201d<\/p>\n To add to the intrigue, Summerville himself has dropped a hint he will be returning soon too.<\/p>\n When the <\/p>\n![\"Crysencio](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Summerville-stats-1-1024x1024.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"West](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2236434479-1024x739.jpg\")
Photo by Richard Pelham\/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"West](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/West-Ham-v-Brighton-Hammers-News-1024x1024.jpg\")
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