Former Tottenham and Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson has stated that it would be a "massive boost" if West Ham could see star defender Kurt Zouma return from injury ahead of schedule.
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Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson explained how key Zouma is for the Irons, stating: “It would be a massive boost for them if Zouma returns ahead of schedule.
“David Moyes signed him to be the main man in that area of the pitch. His form in the earlier part of the season was brilliant.
“He is the best centre-half they have so to have him come back would be a massive boost.”
Last month, Moyes gave a promising update on the 27-year-old, stating: "Kurt is coming on and we're really pleased with where Kurt is.
"I couldn't turn around and say he's going to be back in a week or a month but he's really positive about his injury, well ahead of schedule at the moment."
The centre-back, who arrived at the London Stadium last summer, has been absent for over a month with a hamstring problem with the timing of the injury far from ideal with Angelo Ogbonna suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury just weeks before.
However, it appears that the 27-year-old will be back playing in claret and blue soon.
West Ham fans will be buzzing
It is fair to say that Zouma has made an instant impression in East London after swapping city rivals Chelsea for the Irons in August and thus, fans will understandably be buzzing to hear that he could return sooner than initially thought.
The defender has been a major contributor to West Ham's impressive start to the season with the Hammers winning six of the 11 Premier League games that Zouma has played in, including famous scalps over Liverpool and Chelsea.
Moreover, West Ham's form has dipped slightly since the Frenchman's injury, with Moyes' side dropping points at Burnley as well as losing to Arsenal and Southampton before wins over Watford and Crystal Palace.
The East Londoners' goals conceded per game is also slightly higher without the 27-year-old, with the Irons conceding an average of 1.6 goals per league game without Zouma as opposed to the 1.27 with him.
The sooner Zouma can return, the better with West Ham set for a hectic second half of the season with commitments in the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup.