West Ham United have been handed a double boost with the news that Enner Valencia and Dimitri Payet are making good progress in the road to recovery from their respective injuries.

Valencia and Payet had both suffered long-term ankle injuries recently and were expected to be out for at least the next couple of months.

As a boost though, West Ham's head of medical and sport science Stijn Vandenbroucke has revealed that Valencia could make a quicker than anticipated return from injury before the New Year while Payet is also making good progress.

Vandenbroucke told the club's official website: "[Valencia] has come through a period of immobilisation, during which we gave him permission to return home to South America to spend some time with his family.

"We are pleased to report that Enner is progressing very well and, should his rehab continue to go as planned, he has a good chance to play before the end of the year. He is ahead of schedule and we have been very happy with his progress.

"Payet is still in a period of immobilisation after suffering a high ankle sprain in a strong tackle in the same match against Everton. This means that he is still wearing a walking boot, which protects the ankle and keeps the joint in a certain position, allowing the body to heal without straining the injured ligaments.

"Dimi is still able to work on his general fitness and do strength and conditioning work on his upper body. Should everything continue to go to plan, Dimi will progress to the second, more active stage in his rehab this week."