Dyer, 29, underwent three operations on the injury suffered in a Carling Cup tie at Bristol Rovers in August 2007 and then had his return delayed earlier this season by a stress fracture.

But the England international has impressed manager Gianfranco Zola in training this week and he is poised to be included in the squad for tomorrow's FA Cup third-round tie against Barnsley.

Dyer has made just three appearances for West Ham since completing a £6million move from Newcastle and his availability could not come at a better time for the Hammers given Zola has no money to spend during the transfer window.

Zola said: "He's focused and he's very excited to play and we will try to get him back because he's an important player. I've seen him training, he's trying very hard and he's got a lot of qualities.

"I know it's been a big injury for him and he's been working well in the last few weeks. I know it's frustrating because he's training, training, training and he would like to play.

"After such a long time out it would be difficult for him to be involved from the beginning."

West Ham have fielded and rejected a number of inquiries for big-name stars like Craig Bellamy, Matthew Upson and Scott Parker and insist they are under no pressure to sell, despite the financial difficulties faced by owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.

There may be little money to spend either but Zola is looking to build on the spine of the team offered by Robert Green, Upson, Parker and Bellamy with the likes of Dyer and promising home-grown youngsters.

Jack Collison has broken into the first team this season while defender James Tomkins has been recalled from a successful loan spell with Derby and is set to be involved tomorrow.

"I am glad to be back. The manager wanted me back and I want to try and impress him. My aim is to get back in the team," said Tomkins.

"Derby wanted me for another month but West Ham asked for me to come back. West Ham tried to watch me as much as they could while I was there, so hopefully the manager would have been pleased with what I did."

Zola won the FA Cup twice with Chelsea and the competition provided many of his best playing memories - now he wants to experience that success from the bench.

"Of course the league is very important but from experience I know how important the FA Cup is here for the supporters, for the club, for the players, so we want to do well in the cup as well," said Zola.

"For me the FA Cup is very important and winning my first FA Cup with Chelsea was one of the best things to ever happen to me so I know it is so important and we're going to be focused on it.

"The FA Cup can be strange. You might find yourself in the final. We are confident and we want to be there so we're going to try very hard."

Bellamy is available after serving a one-match ban and Mark Noble has recovered from a virus but Parker is suspended.