Payet is at Ozil's level, claims Bilic

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic believes Dimitri Payet is at the same level as Mesut Ozil as he prepares to welcome the midfielder back into his team.

The summer signing from Marseille scored three goals and assisted five more during the opening months of the season for the Irons before suffering an ankle injury in November, though it is hoped he will return to face Livepool on Saturday.

Ozil, meanwhile, has been in superb form for table-toppers Arsenal, having assited 16 goals as scoring five in all competitions himself.

And Bilic believes the way Payet influences and inspires his team-mates means he is on the par with the Germany international.

"I rate him on the same level as Mesut Ozil," he told reporters.

"He makes other players better. He creates space for others, he creates chances, he can take three or four players out of the game.

"He adapted immediately to the club and the players recognised his ability straight away."