Graham Potter has hit back at suggestions that Evan Ferguson’s loan spell at West Ham is not working out.
The Irish forward, 20, is yet to start a match since arriving on loan from Brighton, where he had fallen out of favour, and has not scored for the Hammers.
But West Ham’s former Brighton boss Potter insists it is unfair to say Ferguson has not performed.
“From our perspective, that’s unfair,” Potter said at his pre-match press conference on the eve of Tuesday’s away match against Wolves.
“You have to see the context of where he was and the minutes he’s played previously. We got him at the early stages of that return to playing stage.
“To think you can just walk into a Premier League team and hit the ground running is difficult. We are happy with him. He is enjoying his time here and he is ready to help.”
Ferguson scored his first goal since November as the Republic of Ireland beat Bulgaria 2-1 in the Uefa Nations League.
Potter said: “He’s been doing a lot well. It was always going to be a bit of patience with him but going away, getting some minutes and scoring is great for a forward.”