While things have improved in recent weeks, overall it has been a disappointing 2016/17 campaign to date for West Ham United.

For the majority of the season, they have been scrapping down towards the Premier League’s relegation zone after initially struggling to adapt to their new home – the London Stadium.

More recently, two losses on the bounce against Leicester and Manchester United have put a slight dampener on the three successive victories that the Irons picked up previously – two 1-0 home wins against Burnley and Hull City and a 4-1 thrashing of Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.

To add to the latest successive defeats, Hammers manager Slaven Bilic has also lost forward Andre Ayew and defender Cheikhou Kouyate to the African Cup of Nations, and the Croatian may look to cover their absence by bringing in new players this month.

Here are three short-term signings that would cure West Ham’s AFCON woes…

Mamadou Sakho

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Liverpool's Mamadou Sakho
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The French defender has been excluded from the Liverpool squad since he was sent home from the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, but there is no doubt that he is a quality player.

The centre-back looks set to leave Anfield during the January transfer window in search of first team football and with the Hammers losing the influential Cheikhou Kouyate to the African Cup of Nations this month, a loan until the end of the season could work for both parties.

Branislav Ivanovic

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The Serbian defender is another that has found first team football hard to come by this season, especially during Chelsea’s 13-match winning run when manager Antonio Conte chose to stick with a consistent back three of Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill and David Luiz.

The 32-year-old may be looking for a move away from the Premier League leaders this month in order to get more minutes on the pitch, and a switch across the capital could again be a positive more for both sides.

Marcus Rashford

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While Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has hinted that none of his first team players will be allowed to leave the club on loan during the January transfer window, he could be tempted to make Marcus Rashford the exception.

The young striker hasn’t scored since the end of September and has found himself on the substitutes’ bench in recent months. He would certainly provide the goal threat the Hammers will be missing with Ghana international Andre Ayew at the African Cup of Nations.