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Slaven Bilic happy with West Ham squad as injuries ease

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West ham boss Slaven Bilic is confident that Dimitri Payet will feature against Liverpool this weekend.

West Ham's improving injury situation means they are unlikely to spend in January, according to Slaven Bilic.

Dimitri Payet is fit to return to the squad for this weekend's home game with Liverpool after almost two months out with an ankle injury.

And with Victor Moses and Winston Reid outside chances for Saturday, Bilic is almost back to the squad that started the Premier League season with four straight away wins, including three at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.

Only Diafra Sakho remains a long-term absentee, and the forward is due back in early February.

"The situation with injuries looks very bright now," said Bilic, speaking at his pre-match press conference. "When we have a full squad we have a really good team and enough players.

"I don't think we are going to be very active in this transfer window unless something exceptional comes along. We are happy.

Diafra Sakho of West Ham is injured during the game against West Brom
Image: Diafra Sakho is West Ham's last remaining long-term injury absentee

"If we are lucky Sakho will be back early February and we are happy with the squad. We did a good job during the summer."

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Hammers co-owner David Sullivan last week called Payet "a £30m player - the best I've signed in 25 years", and Bilic said of the France midfielder's return: "It is a great boost for us and he will be involved in the game."

West Ham's 3-0 win at Anfield at the end of August came during the tail-end of Brendan Rodgers' reign, and Bilic expects big things from Rodgers' successor Jurgen Klopp in the coming years.

Mark Noble of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team's second goal from the penalty spot during the Barclays Premier League match at Liverpool
Image: Mark Noble was among the scorers when West Ham won 3-0 at Anfield back in August

"Klopp has been a boost for the Premier League," he said. "All the big clubs wanted to take him. He is good for the league. Expectations are high.

"Liverpool are contenders to win the league, like the other teams above them. If they have a good run, of course they can win it."

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