West Ham United loanee Yossi Benayoun is set for a return to action against Everton this weekend, hoping to lessen the consequences of an injury crisis currently in full swing at Upton Park.

On loan from Premier League rivals Chelsea, Benayoun suffered an injury setback last week with a knee complaint.

The Israeli’s injury troubles has restricted his appearances for the Irons this term to only four starts following his loan move to East London.

After breaking down in training last week Sam Allardyce noted that the player would go “back with Chelsea to recover from that injury." The player’s availability for next weekend will come as a huge wave of relief for Big Sam who noted last week “Our big problem with Yossi at the moment is to try and get him fit."

The Hammers manager was missing several key first-team players last week, including Andy Carroll, in-form Mohamed Diame and Ricardo Vaz Te.

"Ricardo Vaz Te is probably another couple of weeks before he's training and that will be 12 weeks he has been out." As for Benayoun, Allardyce feels quietly confident that he “will be back with us this week” after convalescing at Chelsea.

West Ham currently sit at 11th spot in the Premier League table and level on points with Swansea in 10th place. With Everton's visit on the weekend and a trip to Arsenal on boxing day, the Irons will be hoping that Benayoun can provide some much needed relief during a busy Christmas period.