Delivers timely lift for under-pressure Bilic

The Senegalese forward subsequently underwent an operation for a disc problem in his back, followed by an extensive period of rehabilitation.

Sakho has been back in full training for the last week and suffered no ill-effects.

“He wants to play now,” said Bilic (right), “but he has been out for a long time and we need to be a little careful with him.”

Bilic looks certain though to include Sakho on the bench to face Arsenal tonight and, if he comes through that with no problems, could even start the striker in what is a crucial home match against fellow Premier League strugglers Swansea on Saturday.

Sakho’s return provides a timely fillip for West Ham in what has been a turbulent season. Signed from French club Metz in 2014, the 27-year-old came to o prominence when he scored in his firstst six starts in the Premierer League to equal a 20-year-old record.d.

However, a succession ession of injuries has hampered mpered his career since andnd a fallout with the club lastast year ended with him submitting ubmitting a transfer request. It looked likelylikel that Sakho would move to West Brom last August but the proposedprop transfer fell through afteafter he failed a medical.

Also returningre for tonight’tonight’s match is Michail AntonioAntonio, who has recoverecovered from a hamhamstring strain which forforced him to pull out oof England’s two recent internationals.

Club captain Mark Noble alsoa looks likely to be back in the starting XI as Bilic lookslook to shore up his midfield, following the 2-1 defeat at Hull last weekend.