Selfless Kouyate happy as long as Hammers are winning

Cheikhou Kouyate feels that team duties are paramount and will not let his utility role affect him as long as he is helping West Ham United win.

Due to the Hammers being threadbare in defensive positions, Slaven Bilic is using Kouyate to fill the gaps at the back to cover for the injuries in the squad.

Since returning from captaining Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations, the midfielder is pleased to be injury free ahead of making his 100th Premier League appearance in claret and blue at Watford a week on Saturday.

“I’m good, not bad; thank God I’m feeling OK,” he said.

(Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

“It’s been a very busy year for me but all players like to play many, many games, so it’s good for me because I’ve not had any injuries.

“If you’re a player and you are injured for a few weeks, it’s very frustrating, so thank God I’m feeling good.

“I know I am known as our Mr Versatile at the moment, but I don’t really like this title! Every time we don’t have a left-back, I play at left-back and every time we don’t have a right-back, I play at right-back, which is very hard!

“I prefer to play in midfield, but every time I play, whether it is there or at full-back, I will give everything for the team. I play for the team and not for myself.”