Mark Noble thrilled with "top-quality" Dimitri Payet

Mark Noble has hailed his "top quality" West Ham United teammate Dimitri Payet, suggesting that the Irons have needed a player of that calibre and cunning for years.

The 28-year-old playmaker starred in the Hammers' opening-day Premier League win at Arsenal, before netting his first goal in last Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Leicester City.

West Ham are no strangers to losing players to lengthy injury layoffs in recent season, and Noble is desperate for the ex-Marseille ace to steer clear of that curse in East London.

"I think we've been crying out for a player like Dimitri Payet for a long time," the stand-in captain told the club's official website.

"He can score and create goals, he's a top quality player and we need to keep him fit."

Payet was signed for an estimated £10m earlier in the summer.