Dimitri Payet 'on the same level' as Arsenal's Mesut Ozil, according to West Ham boss Slaven Bilic

Sidelined: Dimitri Payet is primed to make his first appearance for West Ham since November
(Steve Welsh/Getty Images)
Tom Dutton1 January 2016

Slaven Bilic says returning West Ham star Dimitri Payet is on the 'same level' as Mesut Ozil.

The Hammers signed Payet for £10.7million in the summer but the France international has been sidelined with an ankle problem since early November.

Bilic confirmed the 28-year-old is in line to make his comeback ahead of schedule at Upton Park on January 2, as Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool travel to the capital.

And the West Ham boss has talked up Payet in the build-up to his anticipated return on Saturday, comparing him to Arsenal's Ozil.

The Germany international is currently joint-favourite to claim the Player of the Year gong at the end of the season after laying on 16 assists and scoring three top flight goals in 19 games.

Payet, by comparison, has scored five and set up three in 12 starts.

What does January hold for West Ham?

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"I rate him [Payet] on the same level as Mesut Ozil," said Bilic.

"He makes other players better. He creates space for others, he creates chances, he can take three or four players out of the game.

"He adapted immediately to the club and the players recognised his ability straight away."

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