Julen Lopetegui has been handed a massive boost just under two weeks before the start of the Premier League season, Edson Alvarez has joined the squad in Florida after playing in the Copa America with Mexico.

The defensive midfielder will be a key player in West Ham’s new look side under Lopetegui. However, he will likely have to wait to get in action as he has returned with a hamstring injury he suffered in Mexico’s first group game against Michail Antonio’s Jamaica after just 30 minutes.

Alvarez was forced to miss the rest of the tournament, but he stayed with his Mexico teammates. He said: “Unfortunately, my participation in Copa America has come to an end. I have no words — the truth is that it is a hard blow for me because I had that dream as much as my team-mates have it but sometimes these things happen in football and I will have to learn and grow from all this.”

Just a few days after Alvarez suffered the injury, ExWHUEmployee stated: “It appears he will be out for about 5-6 weeks with what is likely to be a grade 2 hamstring tear.” It has been just over a month since the scan, so the Mexico captain should be nearing a return to fitness.

Alvarex underwent rehabilitation in the USA with the Mexico camo and was given time to recuperate, as he was given extended time off with the other International players. Alvarez will be eager to get going again but is very unlikely to feature in the match against Crystal Palace on Sunday, as he will work individually with the medical team upon his arrival. West Ham fans will be hoping he is fit for the opening match of the season vs Aston Villa at the London Stadium on the 10th August.

Julen Lopetegui has already spoken on his excitement to coach Alvarez, he said: “We are crossing our fingers. We suffered a big injury with Edson. It is not good news because he is an important player.” The Spaniard will be hoping to keep Alvarez fit and available throughout the 24/25 campaign, while he had a very impressive season under David Moyes, he missed a lot of games due to suspension, which Lopetegui hopes to coach out of him slightly. The Mexican missed the second leg of the Hammers’ Europa League Quarter-Final against Bayer Leverkusen due to a needless suspension.

The defensive midfielder is a crucial component to a Julen Lopetegui’s possession-based sides, and Alvarez is really the only man in the squad that can fill that role. Tomas Soucek is better in a more advanced position and is too limited on the ball to play in a deep role for Lopetegui. Freddie Potts has impressed in pre-season and could be the back up to Alvarez, however, he is very unexperienced at the top level making it very unclear if he would be capable.

West Ham were also boosted by the arrivals of Michail Antonio, Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal last week, all three were in the squad for the 3-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in Jacksonville. The Hammers are still without Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta who went far in their International competitions, they are both expected to join up with the squad later in the week.