Diafra Sakho has returned to his native Senegal after being given special permission for time off by the club.  The West Ham forward has endured an injury-hit season, with a persistent back problem and a hamstring injury restricting him to just four appearances.

The 27-year-old will return to Rush Green in early June while the rest of the first team squad take their summer holidays to begin a tailored rehabilitation programme on his long-standing back injury and that will continue right through until the start of pre-season in July.

Sakho has been dogged by injuries since joining West Ham from Metz in 2014 and has managed to make only 54 appearances during his three years at the club.He has netted 20 times for the Hammers during that period. Sakho has 13 months remaining on his present contract at West Ham.

West Ham and Sakho know it is both of their interests to get the player match fit whether he stays at the club or not. In many ways, this is Sakho’s last chance to reignite his career.