Wednesday 18 November 2015 09:44, UK
West Ham United playmaker Dimitri Payet is relieved he will not have to undergo surgery on the injured ankle that has ruled him out for three months.
The France international, who has scored five goals in 12 Premier League appearances this season, suffered the injury in the 1-1 draw with Everton on November 7.
He told the West Ham website: "It has been a week since I sustained the injury. I am doing well. It is a long period but I am looking forward to making a return to action.
"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."
Payet's injury means Michail Antonio could make just his second league appearance of the season when West Ham tackle Tottenham in their Sky Live Super Sunday match this weekend. He is keen to take the chance to prove his worth.
He said: "Definitely, Dimitri getting injured is a great loss as well as Enner [Valencia], but their absence gives other players the chance to become a star of the club and allow them to show what they can do.
"Dimitri has been absolutely superb so far so he will be greatly missed. It's time for the other boys to step up.
"When I joined, I knew it wasn't going to be easy to break through and stake my claim in the Premier League. It's one of those things where I need to wait and bide my time."
