By Daniel Feliciano

20th Jan, 2022 | 6:45pm

Said Benrahma to return to West Ham early after Algeria AFCON elimination

West Ham have been boosted by the early return to action of Said Benrahma after Algeria were eliminated from the African Cup of Nations at the group stage.

Algeria were one of the pre-tournament favourites to go the distance as the holders of the cup, meaning Benrahma could have missed up to eight games for the Hammers.

However after a 3-1 defeat to Ivory Coast on Thursday [Jan 20th], Algeria were eliminated at the first hurdle having failed to win a single game and Benrahma will now head back to London.

Benrahma has been in good form for David Moyes’ side this season, but he featured for less than an hour combined during the tournament.

He started the defeat to Ivory Coast but was substituted at half-time with the team 2-0 down and needing a win to qualify for the next round.

Massive

The news will come as a huge boost to the east London side after their most recent disappointing result against Leeds in the Premier League.

The side struggled to keep possession for long periods in the final third and were ultimately beaten 3-2, but the form with Benrahma in the side had been boosted before exit with the club as he scored twice and got an assist in the three games prior.

With a trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United this weekend likely coming a little too soon, it means Benrahma will have only missed four games for the club during his participation in AFCON.

Moyes will see it as a huge boost to have his ‘gifted‘ attacker back in the side so much sooner than expected and the club can put the uncertainty of his return behind them.

His first game will likely come after the ‘winter-break’, when West Ham return to action to face Kidderminster in the FA Cup on February 5th.

In other West Ham news, Report shares chances of West Ham signing attacker who bagged hat-trick at weekend