Mohammed Kudus has revealed he struggled to find his rhythm at West Ham United after suffering an early exit with the Black Stars at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Kudus overcame injury to feature in Ghana's last two games after missing out on the opening game. He scored twice in the competition but even that was not enough as the Chris Hughton-led side failed to make it past the group stage.

After returning from the AFCON in Cote d'Ivoire, it took the 23-year-old five games to be involved in a goal and he explains that was because of the way the tournament on the continent ended for him.

"As human beings, we need some time to shake stuff off," the Ghanaian said, speaking in an interview with The Guardian. "I was injured before Afcon and had to put all my effort into being there to help the team. It was my first Afcon and it didn’t go as planned.

"When you go back straight into playing nobody ever gives you time to change gear. It had an impact because it was a big disappointment."

Kudus has 11 goals and 4 assists in 34 games for the Hammers across all competitions this season and will hope to that tally when West Ham play Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday.