Thursday 8 September 2016 12:27, UK
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is optimistic midfielder Dimitri Payet will make his first start of the season for the club when they face Watford on Saturday.
Payet has yet to play a full match this season, following France's run to the Euro 2016 final this summer.
The 29-year-old played 45 minutes for France against Italy and then 35 minutes against Belarus, following on from his substitute appearance for West Ham against Chelsea prior to the international break.
And Bilic is keen to get the midfielder, who scored 12 times for the Hammers last season, back in his starting line-up as soon as possible.
"He hasn't played for us, apart from as a substitute against Chelsea, but he played 45 minutes for France against Italy, and then 35 minutes against Belarus," Bilic said.
"He's going to definitely be in the squad. I'm expecting him to be fit and ready and, if he is, he is going to start the game.
"We have missed him. You are going to miss that kind of player, it's the same for every club.
"France missed him, they were better when he came on. With his quality in open play we have been missing him."
Bilic may also welcome back Manuel Lanzini, Sofiane Feghouli and Havard Nordtveit from injuries ahead of the clash at the London Stadium.
"We needed the international break for a couple of reasons," Bilic added. "We needed a couple of weeks to get players back fit and we had played five games in the space of two weeks.
"With the injuries it was tough. Now hopefully a few of them are back. It's not a new start for us but with the players who are back I am very optimistic."
