Friday 9 December 2016 19:50, UK
West Ham defender Sam Byram is hoping to make his comeback from a hamstring injury before the end of the year.
The right-back has not featured since suffering a significant hamstring tear in the 1-1 home draw with Middlesbrough on October 1.
But Byram, who underwent surgery to repair the damage, is back running again and hopes to be available to make his first-team return against Swansea on Boxing Day.
"I'd like to think in two weeks I'll be ready and available for selection," the 23-year-old told Sky Sports.
"But it's a case of seeing how the rehab goes and not pushing too early because with muscle injuries if you do it again, you're back to square one and then I've got another two months out.
"We're taking it steady, but doing all the right things. As a player, you're always pushing the physio, asking when I'll be back, but you've got to tick the boxes each day.
"I've got to hit 85 per cent speed, then 90 per cent, I've got to fulfil certain strength requirements and on each day, you make progressions.
"Some days, it might be a bit sore, so you back off and then you push on again, so it's more a case of ticking the boxes."
Byram, who spent a week away in Paphos in Cyprus after undergoing surgery, also revealed an unusual method used by club physio, Eamon Swift, to prevent his rehabilitation programme becoming mundane.
"To keep me enjoying it, we've been out in the forest running with his dog instead of just plodding around the pitch," he said.
"It certainly kept it different, I always look forward to doing that, so it's been good.
"It's the longest injury I've had, I've never been out for more than two months, so it was a bit hard to take at first. Obviously, I am not used to not playing for so long.
"I have had to try and keep myself occupied, throw myself into the rehab and the physio staff have been brilliant with me, they've kept me smiling and they've made it fun along the way."
Byram has been restricted to just 13 appearances for West Ham since completing his move from Sky Bet Championship side Leeds United in January, with injury, suspension and cup ineligibility all playing a part.
However, Byram is optimistic, with more than half a season remaining, he can stay injury-free and secure a consistent run of matches under manager Slaven Bilic.
"It's a massive club and I am unbelievably excited to be here, but it's been a bit stop start," he said.
"When I came last season, I suffered a bit of an injury, I got banned after picking up 10 yellow cards and I was also cup-tied, so I was in and out.
"This season, I thought I was doing well, I was playing in 85, 90 per cent of the matches, and then a freak accident against Middlesbrough and it's back to frustration.
"I've tried to stay positive, there are lots of games to come, more than half a season left, so if I can get involved and try to help the team as best I can, all that will be put in the past."
West Ham take on Liverpool at Anfield on Nissan Super Sunday - live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 4.15pm - aiming to bounce-back from the humiliating 5-1 home defeat they suffered to Arsenal last Saturday.
Bilic's side sit in 17th place, just one point above the relegation zone, in what is a far cry from their performance last season, when they challenged for a Champions League place before ultimately finishing in seventh spot.
Following the trip to Merseyside, West Ham face fellow strugglers Burnley, Hull, Swansea and Leicester and Byram is confident the quality within the Hammers' squad will help them move clear of trouble.
"Every game coming up is very important, but I don't think the next five matches will shape how we'll finish," he said.
"We need three points each week, the team know that, everyone around the club knows that, so that's the main priority.
"Obviously we're not in an ideal situation, but the players and I have every confidence in each other and the manager. We know we've got the quality to get out of this situation."
