Bilic hopes Ayew will boost Hammers

Slaven Bilic expects the return of striker Andre Ayew to be a big boost for the Hammers after suffering a slump in form which has left them without a league win since they beat Southampton 3-1 in early February.

Ayew’s season has been disrupted thus far by injury and international commitments in the AFCON Cup but the Ghanaian’s season has begun to fire after goals in successive away games for the Hammers.

And with champions Leicester City visiting London Stadium this weekend, Bilic knows Ayew’s attacking threat will be crucial to their cause.

(Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

“Andre had a couple of major things which happened to him, which affected his season so far,” said Bilic.

“The first was that he had a massive injury in the first game of the season, then when he came back it was a little bit too early, so he was searching for fitness and form.

“Then he went to the Africa Cup of Nations and now he looks really good. That’s the reason we bought him – he has that sense to be in the right place at the right time.

“He scored like that against Swansea, he scored like that against Watford and he scored a similar kind of goal again on Saturday.

“That’s a big quality for the strikers to be in a good position, so now he’s back in good shape and of course we expect him to improve us.”