Graham Potter says Crysencio Summerville is “getting really close” to a return for West Ham.
Summerville has missed the whole of pre-season as he recovers from hamstring surgery.
The £25million signing remains sidelined for Saturday’s season-opener at Sunderland but Potter has confirmed he is “in the last stages” of his rehabilitation.
Summerville is viewed as a key a player under Potter but his comeback will not be rushed.
He missed the final 18 games of the season after undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury suffered during Potter's first game in charge against Aston Villa in the FA Cup in January.
“We’ve still got Crysencio Summerville in the last stages of his rehab,” said Potter on Thursday. “So he will not be available. But he is getting really close.”
George Earthy also remains sidelined for the Sunderland game.
The young midfielder suffered an ankle ligament injury before West Ham’s pre-season training camp in Germany.
Earthy will be part of the first-team this season following a successful loan spell with Bristol City.
West Ham take on Sunderland the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Asked if new £20million signing Mads Hermansen will start in goal, Potter said: “I am not going to name my team now.
“We are delighted with the signing. He provides some real competition in that position. We felt we needed to ask some experienced competitions there. We’ll see how the weekend goes.”
