Bilic hopes Payet's first team return can influence West Ham
REUTERS - Attacking midfielder Dimitri Payet's return to the first team will give West Ham United a major boost, manager Slaven Bilic has said ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Watford.
The 29-year-old had an impressive debut season in England, scoring 12 goals in all competitions since joining from Olympique Marseille in June last year.
Payet, who has made just one appearance in the league this season, was also joint second-top scorer at Euro 2016 with three goals and was named in the team of the tournament after helping France reach the final.
"It is key for us if he can produce his best form again. He has the qualities that the best players have and can help change a game. They are influencing their team mates and opponents," Bilic told the club's website.
"He makes the team play better and everyone around him is benefiting. The team recognised that last season."
West Ham, who failed to make the Europa League group stage for the second year in a row after being eliminated by Astra Giurgiu last month, have managed only three points from their opening three Premier League games.
(Reporting by Ian Rodricks in Bengaluru; editing by Clare Lovell)