West Ham United midfielder Pedro Obiang has welcomed the return of Diafra Sakho and Andre Ayew after the pair featured against Tottenham Hotspur last Saturday.
Sakho had been linked with a move to West Bromwich Albion over the summer and the transfer only fell through because the player failed a medical at The Hawthorns, but Slaven Bilic has insisted that the forward has a future at West Ham.
The 26-year-old made his return from a back injury, which has caused him discomfort from time to time since 2014, in the 3-2 loss to Spurs yesterday. He made his first appearance of the season while starting at White Hart Lane, and was withdrawn on the hour mark.
Obiang said, as reported by West Ham United‘s official website: “We have another big game next week against Manchester United and we know it will be another tough game. If we had won against Tottenham it would have made things easier for us going into that game, but we have to keep going.
“We have to take the positives out of the game. It was good to see Sakho and Andre (Ayew) back in action and Darren (Randolph) made some good saves so we have to stay positive.”
Ayew became the Hammers’ record signing after joining from Swansea City for £20.5m in the summer transfer window, but lasted just 35 minutes on his competitive debut before picking up a thigh injury.
The attacker, who scored 12 goals and claimed two assists for the Swans last campaign, made his return while coming off the bench against Everton at the end of October. While he started in the 1-1 draw with Stoke City and also lasted an hour in yesterday’s encounter.
The Hammers have been somewhat of a blunt attacking force this season with Simone Zaza making a slow start as West Ham’s sole striker, but the return of both Ayew and Sakho will provide Bilic’s men with greater dynamism going forward.