West Ham’s Diafra Sakho is pain-free for the first time this season and is closing in on a return to first-team action, reports say.

The 26-year-old is yet to feature this season as the Hammers have only won one of their first seven league games.

But the Sun say Senegal international Sakho is poised to return after the international break following positive news regarding his back problem.

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West Ham travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace at the weekend and Slaven Bilic looks set to have defender Aaron Cresswell back at his disposal.

The left-back suffered a knee ligament injury during pre-season but has made a quick recovery and played 50 minutes in a training ground match last week.

Meanwhile, striker Andy Carroll is also said to be closing in on a return following a knee problem.

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