West Ham’s Dmitri Payet to return in January

France global Dimitri Payet is set to make his return from an ankle injury in the new year, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic said today. We still have many players out of the team in this period but we are coping well’.

The Frenchman, whose side will face Aston Villa on Boxing Day, has been sidelined since picking up an ankle injury in the 1-1 draw with Everton last month.

“I saw their last few games and against Newcastle they had a really good game, especially after they equalised”, said Bilic of Villa’s 1-1 draw at St James’ Park. It’s as usual in England, that’s the schedule.

Hosting Villa, who have not won since the opening day of the season, sit bottom of the Premier League table with 10 points separating themselves from safety.

Meanwhile, Lanzini, who scored four goals in 12 appearances before picking an injury ahead of the game against Manchester United earlier this month, is expected to return for the clash with Southampton on 28 December.

“But they have confidence now because they have one point from an away game”.

“It is good news that Dimitri Payet is ahead of schedule”, Bilic told the club’s official Twitter account. For the Southampton game we could have one back, with a slight chance for Carroll for Villa. I am not expecting anything easier than Swansea, Stoke or Man United.

“He is training with the fitness coaches and he might be involved in Liverpool game January 2, which is a big boost”.

“United. They have some quality players who can harm you”.

“It’s great that Mark Noble is going to have a testimonial game”.