West Ham United midfielder Dimitri Payet has insisted that he is pleased with his recovery progress.
The 28-year-old, who joined the Hammers from Marseille in the summer, picked up an ankle injury in a 1-1 draw with Everton before the international break.
Although scans showed that Payet will not require surgery on his injured ankle, the France international will still have to remain sidelined for three months.
And Payet, who was happy to avoid surgery, explained that he received fantastic support from everyone associated with West Ham since his injury.
“It has been a week since I sustained the injury. I am doing well. I am surrounded by very good people which has allowed me to recover and I am keeping my head high. It is a long period but I am looking forward to making a return to action”, he told West Ham TV.
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“Of course it is a big relief for me that I will not need an operation. I speak from experience and having had a couple of operations it is not an easy thing to cope with. It is good news on that front but it doesn't change the time that it will take me to recover.
“I am taking the news as well as I can. There are more serious things that happen in life and injuries happen in that situation. You have to put things in perspective and the most important thing is for me to get back playing as quickly as I can.
“The support has been fantastic from my team-mates, everyone at the Club and from the supporters. It is during these times that you can really feel loved.
"That is very important and I want to get back playing as quickly as I can and perform to the way I have been doing so far this season. It has been a dream for me.
“It has been a big help to me with the support from the fans. It has been incredible the support they have shown towards me and not just at home, but when we play away as well. You can really feel the fans support and I really hope it will become even greater as time goes on.
“The medical team here is excellent and they are doing everything they can to help me.
"We have regular meetings every day where I get updates and that is a big boost for me in the recovery process and getting back as quickly as I can.”
Payet, whose contract with West Ham runs until the summer of 2020, has been in superb form since his move to Upton Park from Marseille in the summer.
The creative midfielder has managed to score five goals and provide four assists in 14 appearances in all competitions for West Ham.
He also has 15 caps and a solitary goal for France to his name.
