West Ham's Dimitri Payet could return in time for Liverpool clash

West Ham are hoping that star man Dimitri Payet could be back in early January, as manager Slaven Bilic looks to halt a run of seven matches without a win.

Payet, who was outstanding in West Ham’s impressive start to the season, has been sorely missed since he suffered an ankle injury against Everton on November 7.

Since then West Ham, who have suffered injuries to other offensive players such as Enner Valencia, Diafra Sakho, Manuel Lanzini, Victor Moses and Andy Carroll, have drawn all but one of their five Premier League matches, scoring just twice.

The West Ham medical staff have been pleased with Payet’s recovery from the injury, and the French international playmaker has an outside chance of returning to the squad for the home match against Liverpool on January 2.