The chances of Pablo Felipe making a return to action for West Ham United before the end of the 2025/26 Premier League season remain reasonably high. His timeline, however, places him on the fringes of an immediate impact amid the club's ongoing relegation battle. As reported last week on GSH, a source confirmed that Pablo's injury was pre-existing and might have been avoided had the player not been forced into a heavy workload.
The 22-year-old Brazilian forward, signed from Gil Vicente for around £18-21 million (including add-ons) during the January transfer window, has quickly become a valuable squad option since his arrival. In his first six appearances (three starts), he brought energy, physical presence, and work rate to the attack—qualities that have been praised as a much-needed boost for Nuno Espírito Santo's side, even without yet registering a goal.
However, a calf injury he sustain while playing in Portugal was reaggrevated shortly after a win at Burnley and has sidelined him since late January/early February 2026. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo first confirmed the issue ahead of the 1-1 draw with Manchester United, stating Pablo would be "out for a while." Recent updates from several news sources including The Athletic indicate a typical recovery period of four to six weeks for the calf problem.
""We have to go day by day, he's getting better each day, so hopefully, he can join us soon.""Nuno Espírito Santo
As of February 19, 2026, with West Ham set to host AFC Bournemouth this weekend, Pablo remains unavailable. Nuno provided a cautiously optimistic update in his pre-match press conference on February 19: "We have to go day by day, he's getting better each day, so hopefully, he can join us soon." This suggests steady progress in rehab, with no reported setbacks, though he is ruled out for the immediate fixture.
Projected Timeline and Missed Games
4-week scenario - (optimistic, no complications): Potential return late March 2026, possibly after the March international break. This could see him in contention for fixtures around March 22 (e.g., vs. Newcastle, per some projections) or shortly thereafter.
6-week scenario - (more conservative): Return pushing into early April, potentially aligning with games like vs. Wolves on April 11 or similar run-in matches.
Pablo is expected to miss a tough sequence:
• Bournemouth (H) – February 21/22
• Liverpool (A)
• Fulham (A)
• Brentford (H, FA Cup)
• Manchester City (H)
• Possibly one or two more, depending on exact timing
These include several matches against top-six opposition, which could be a silver lining—West Ham might navigate the hardest part of the schedule without relying on him, preserving his fitness for the final push.
Positive signs: Nuno's comments emphasize daily improvement, and calf strains in young, fit athletes often heal within the standard 4-6 week window if rehab goes smoothly. Pablo's recent form made him "popular" in the squad, and his return would be welcomed as a timely lift for survival hopes.
Risks: Muscle injuries can be unpredictable—any aggravation could extend the absence. if complications arise, expect him to be out the full six weeks.
Season context: With the Premier League typically concluding in mid-May 2026, even a six-week layoff leaves 8-10 matches (plus potential cup games) for contributions. West Ham sit in a precarious mid-to-lower table position, making any attacking reinforcements vital in the run-in.
Overall, the outlook is encouraging: Pablo has a strong probability (around 70-80% based on typical timelines and current positive updates) of featuring again this campaign, likely from late March onward. His energy off the bench or in rotation could prove crucial if West Ham avoid the drop. For now, the focus remains on careful management—day by day—to ensure he returns fully fit rather than rushed.