Forgotten West Ham star says he hopes to return by Boxing Day

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The 23-year-old has not featured since 1 October.

West Ham United defender Sam Byram has told Sky Sports that he hopes to be available to return to action by Boxing Day after an injury absence of nearly three months.

Byram tore his hamstring in the draw with Middlesbrough on 1 October and has been sidelined ever since, although he recently returned to training.

The 23-year-old has not had much luck since joining from Leeds United back in January, making just 13 appearances in all competitions as a result of a combination of injury, suspension, cup ineligibility last term, and squad competition.

He featured regularly in the opening weeks of the campaign before his injury, and will be desperate to return to help turn the club’s fortunes around.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he has revealed that he hopes to be back and available for selection in a fortnight’s time, a timeframe which would put him in contention to return for the Boxing Day clash with Swansea City.

Byram said: “I’d like to think in two weeks I’ll be ready and available for selection. But it’s a case of seeing how the rehab goes and not pushing too early because with muscle injuries if you do it again, you’re back to square one and then I’ve got another two months out.

“We’re taking it steady, but doing all the right things. As a player, you’re always pushing the physio, asking when I’ll be back, but you’ve got to tick the boxes each day. I’ve got to hit 85 per cent speed, then 90 per cent, I’ve got to fulfil certain strength requirements and on each day, you make progressions.

“Some days, it might be a bit sore, so you back off and then you push on again, so it’s more a case of ticking the boxes. It’s the longest injury I’ve had, I’ve never been out for more than two months, so it was a bit hard to take at first. Obviously, I am not used to not playing for so long.”

It is questionable whether he will slot in at right-back in the starting XI even once fully fit, but having the talented young star available again would undoubtedly provide at least some form of boost for beleaguered manager Slaven Bilic.