Slaven Bilic warns West Ham that focus must be right at Sunderland
Thursday 1 October 2015 13:21, UK
Slaven Bilic has warned his West Ham side they cannot afford any let-up in their approach as they prepare to travel to Sunderland this weekend.
United have raised eyebrows with wins at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City already this season and Bilic is expecting an equally tough challenge on Wearside.
Sunderland are bottom and searching for their first league win of the season but Bilic warned his players not to be complacent as they look for a fourth conscutive away win for the first time in the Premier League.
Bilic said: "Those three away wins mean absolutely nothing for Saturday because if we begin to think it will be easier against Sunderland then we need to stop that.
"We are confident but we are expecting a tough, tough game. Neutrals are expecting us to win the game but we have to be fully aware in our approach. We've watched their games and in some of them they've been very unlucky. Up front they have some good individuals with pace."
The Hammers are third in the table with 13 points from seven games and are also joint top scorers with Leicester City on 15 goals.
Bilic said striker Enner Valencia would return to training for the first time since injuring his knee and ankle in a Europa League qualifier in July.
He said: "Enner will join us in parts of training today. It is massive news for us that he is getting closer. If everything goes well it's a matter of two or three weeks for him."
Defender Angelo Ogbonna is ruled out on Saturday as he continues to recover from the hamstring injury he picked up in the 2-0 win over Newcastle United. Striker Andy Carroll and defender Winston Reid are also doubts.
