West Ham expect Andre Ayew to be back before Christmas.

West Ham are hopeful Ayew will return to fitness in December after starting rehabilitation on his thigh injury.

"Andre Ayew suffered a rare but very serious thigh injury, which will take time to recover from," Stijn Vandenbroucke, the Head of Medical and Sports Science told the club's official website.

"Andre will not have surgery and we have started the rehab straight away, working two times a day.

"Andre is a highly professional athlete with a positive attitude that no doubt will affect the return to play date.

"It is early to put a time-line on the rehab, but we are positive to reintroduce him in December."