Bilic: Ayew to return on December 1

The Hammers' boss has given the latest update on the injury situation of the Ghana international.

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has disclosed that injured new signing Andre Ayew is expected back from the treatment room on December 1.

The development comes as good news to Ghanaians as the 26-year-old was initially reported to be facing four months on the sidelines, effectively putting his chances of making the Black Stars squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in doubt.

Bilic made the revelation when addressing concerns on the club's need for further signings following a series of injury setbacks including Ayew, striker Andy Carroll, Manuel Lanzini, Dimitri Payet, Sofiane Feghouli and Diafra Sakho.

“A few of them, like Lanzini and Payet, should be back Thursday and if not Thursday then Sunday,” Bilic told his club's official website.

“So if we are talking about creation from midfield, we will be more than all right with them, because nobody has got five players like them.

"With Andy and Andre, they are more long-term injuries. Hopefully, Andre will be back on 1 December.

“Are we going to try to get one [new signing]? We’re going to try to get one if possible.

"The chairman is going to be very generous, I think, and we’re going to get one if we can find a proper one, but they’re very hard to find."

Ayew joined West Ham earlier this month on a three-year deal worth £20.5 million from Swansea City after hitting 12 goals in 34 league appearances for the Jack Army last season.