Thursday 20 October 2016 11:30, UK
Slaven Bilic insists West Ham record signing Andre Ayew will not be rushed back into action, despite returning to training following a two month injury lay-off.
Ayew, who joined the Hammers from Swansea in August for a club record fee of £20.5m, has been on the sidelines since suffering a thigh injury on his debut away at Chelsea on the opening day of the season.
The Ghana international did not require surgery and was allowed to return to former club Marseille in September to receive specialist treatment as he stepped his recovery.
He resumed full training with the first-team squad on Monday and, though delighted with his return, Bilic feels the 26-year-old will need more time to build up his match fitness before considering him for selection.
"It is a big boost to have Andre Ayew back in training," Bilic said. "He looks good and the medical team have done a great job. We are all delighted.
"We will try to prepare him for games as quickly as possible. We don't want to rush things but it is great that he is back.
"He has had three sessions with us and is improving every session. He will train today and tomorrow and we will see. We want him back.
"He probably needs a little more time before he can be ready for games. I know it will not take a long time now.
"He will probably not be in the squad for the game on Saturday."
Bilic also confirmed West Ham are still without Andy Carroll, who remains on the sidelines with the knee injury he sustained in August in the Europa League match against Astra Giurgiu.
"Andy Carroll picked up the injury in Romania and I didn't notice he got injured. Originally we thought it would be four to six weeks," Bilic added.
"Now it is longer than that and it is slower than we expected. He is progressing but it is not the speed we wanted. He is working hard."
West Ham moved out of the relegation zone last weekend after claiming their first away victory of the season at Crystal Palace.
The 1-0 win at Selhurst Park was also their first three points since August and Bilic is hoping for more success against struggling Sunderland at London Stadium on Saturday.
"We will try to win and it would be good to have a couple of wins," Bilic added. "We are positive and if we play like we did last week we have a chance."
