The addition of Emmanuel Emenike in the January window was somewhat of a damp squib for the Hammers after promise of much more. Crucially, key players were not moved on in the window and the return to fitness of Payet has seen a fresh spring in the steps of the West Ham fans - understandably so!

Slaven Bilic has been linked with picking up several of his previous players, but it may well have to be a long wait until summer if the Hammers are to add to their impressive squad and remove some of the Sam Allardyce-caused dead wood.

Europa League football must be the goal for the Hammers this season and, if Payet stays fit, there is no reason that they can't make it into the top six by May. The unpredictability of this season makes any sort of guesswork pretty impossible, but West Ham look to be one of the more impressive side amongst the mid-table grouping.

However, they could have had so much more this January...

Adrian

Adrian

West Ham's Spanish keeper is one of the most under rated players in the league and has saved Bilic points on numerous occasions this season.

The Hammers were linked with signing a backup keeper during the January window but only injury will prevent Adrian from being first choice.

Sam Byram

Sam Byram

Carl Jenkinson's injury is not as worrying for West Ham considering the addition of Byram in the January window.

Byram's addition was key anyway, due to Jenkinson's poor form, and the ex-Leeds man offers a huge threat going forward and can overlap down the right hand side to great effect.

Winston Reid

Winston Reid

West Ham have done very well to keep hold of their defensive lynch pin in the last few seasons and the towering Kiwi continues to be one of the best defenders in the league.

Angelo Ogbonna

OgbonnaWHU

Ogbonna's move to West Ham was a significant indication of the new ambition the club is now showing in the transfer market.

His power is clearly his key attribute, but the centre-half has experience at the highest level of the game and has used that to his advantage.

Aaron Cresswell

Aaron Cresswell (centre)

Cresswell must still be eyeing up a call-up to the Euro 2016 squad this summer and the left-back has continued to impress for the Hammers.

Defensively, Cresswell is more secure than many modern full-backs and is an adept crosser of the ball.

Cheikhou Kouyate

kouyate

Kouyate is like a budget verison of Yaya Toure and his powerful game nicely complements Mark Noble in the West Ham midfield.

Pedro Obiang has looked a classy player when he has played, but Kouyate remains first choice for now.

Mark Noble

Mark Noble

Noble, much like many players in this West Ham squad, is hugely under rated by many pundits and Premier League fans alike.

The talismanic midfielder is crucial to West Ham controlling games in the middle of the park and has been one of the players to bring stability to the squad.

Gokhan Tore

Tore is a versatile attacking midfield player and can feature in any role behind the striker.

The Turk would offer an additional creative threat from wider areas and could allow Payet to rest more frequently, particularly if the schedule takes on extra European fixtures next season.

Dimitri Payet

PayetFantasy

Payet is arguably the most exciting player to watch in the league at the moment and he has continued to flourish after returning from his injury.

From his dancing feet to his dangerous shot, Payet is a magical talent who is rightfully adored by the West Ham faithful.

Manuel Lanzini

Manuel Lanzini

Lanzini, like Payet, is a great player to watch when he is in his best form.

Consistency, as with many players his age, has been an issue at times during this campaign but the youngster has shown flashes of what a star he could become.

Charlie Austin

Southampton v West Ham United - Barclays Premier League

Austin, after all the rumours in the summer, finally made his move this window but it was Southampton that secured his signature.

Unlike Sakho, Jelavic or Carroll, Austin has proven himself as a consistent goal scorer in the Premier League over an entire season and would have fed off the creativity of Lanzini and Payet.