Gary O'Neil has vowed to make a full return to action as soon as possible after his season-ending ankle injury suffered against Aston Villa.
The Hammers midfielder was hurt in a challenge with Nigel Reo-Coker after an hour of last week's 2-1 home defeat. He has since had to undergo an operation and been told that he will not figure again this campaign.
The 27-year-old signed for the club on 25 January from Middlesbrough and instantly settled into Avram Grant's side. O'Neil has made eight appearances for the Hammers, the club he first represented as a teenaged youth-team player before making his name at Portsmouth.
Speaking to whufc.com, O'Neil said: "It was a successful operation. I have got some joint damage in the ankle that they had to sort but I am told it went well.
"I am disappointed not to be involved for the last five games but I am looking to get back as fast as I can next season. I will be right behind the lads and I'll be cheering them on at the matches."
The early stages of his rehabilitation will mean a frustrating initial period where he has to rest the ankle completely but O'Neil is determined to bounce back quickly.
"I have got my head around the time scales involved for my comeback. I have just got to keep my foot up for a few weeks and then take it from there."