Injury-plagued West Ham midfielder Kieron Dyer has given Gianfranco Zola a boost ahead of the Hammers' cash against Burnley at Upton Park on Saturday by declaring himself available for selection.

Dyer, 30 is nearing a first-team return for the Hammers after being out with a hamstring injury since the end of September and scored twice for the reserves in Tuesday's 5-2 win over Stoke City infront of the watching Zola.

"It went really well. I looked quite sharp so hopefully it gives the manager a poser," he told the club's official website.

The former England international has only started four games for the East London outfit since arriving for £6million from Newcastle in August 2007.

In 2002, Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero praised Dyer after the former Ipswich starlet featured for Newcastle United against the Bianconeri during a pre-season friendly at St James' Park.

"I have seen Dyer play for both Newcastle and England and he has always impressed me with his ability to run at defences. I think he is the sort of player who would do very well in Serie A and I would love Juventus to sign him," he told fa.com.

However, since then his career has been blighted by injuries and just 10 days after making his Hammers debut, he was stretchered off with a broken leg in the Carling Cup match at Bristol Rovers, ruling him out for 17 months.

Having worked hard to regain his fitness Dyer's comeback is a huge boost for Zola, whose side are lurking immediately above the relegation zone with just 11 points from 13 matches.

"The manager needs as many fit and experienced players as possible and I'm just glad I can be back because we need to push up that table," said Dyer.