Avram Grant believes Keiron Dyer is a key West Ham player and his absence is a blow to their ambitions to climb out of the Premier League bottom three.

The Hammers are rooted to the bottom of the table, behind Wolves on goal difference. Unfortunately, it looks like any resurgence will have to wait as the weekend Premier League betting suggests the Irons will struggle to get anything out of their game with Arsenal.

Meanwhile, former England man Dyer has had a string of high-profile injury problems since signing for West Ham in 2007. He broke his right leg only ten days into his Hammers career and then a series of hamstring problems have kept him out long-term.

He has never actually managed to play a full 90 minutes in his time at Upton Park but has rediscovered some form this season and has actually looked the best player in a struggling West Ham side.

Dyer missed their last game after not being able to train and Grant is hoping the situation does not turn into one similar to Ledley King at Spurs where the defender has a chronic knee problem and can only play and train intermittently.

“Kieron played well last week. But he has had three years out, he didn’t train all the week, and he couldn’t play,” Grant said.

“I’m sure that we can use him in the future, but we need to manage him very carefully. At least when he plays he is playing very well.”

The Premier League best odds suggest the club are in a real scrap, but captain Mathew Upson recently said two wins could catapult the club out of the relegation places and into mid-table.

He added that was a position the club could “realistically maintain” and is hoping Grant can help revitalise the players in the near future.