West Ham star 'relieved' by encouraging injury update as team-mates prepare for Spurs

DIMITRI PAYET says he is relieved after it was confirmed he did not need surgery on his injured ankle.

 

The West Ham star was forced off against Everton in the Hammers' last outing in the Premier League and is expected to be out of action for around three months.

While it will have no bearing on the time of his absence, Payet feared going under the knife and praised the medical staff for their support as he spoke to the club's official website before their clash with Tottenham on Sunday.

 

He said: “Of course it is a big relief for me that I will not need an operation. 

"I speak from experience and having had a couple of operations it is not an easy thing to cope with. 

"It is good news on that front but it doesn't change the time that it will take me to recover.

“I am taking the news as well as I can. There are more serious things that happen in life and injuries happen in that situation. 

 

Dimitri Payet came off inured in West Ham's 1-1 draw with Everton earlier this month

"You have to put things in perspective and the most important thing is for me to get back playing as quickly as I can.

“The support has been fantastic from my team-mates, everyone at the Club and from the supporters. 

"It is during these times that you can really feel loved. That is very important and I want to get back playing as quickly as I can and perform to the way I have been doing so far this season. It has been a dream for me."

He continued: “The medical team here is excellent and they are doing everything they can to help me.

"We have regular meetings every day where I get updates and that is a big boost for me in the recovery process and getting back as quickly as I can.”