DIMITRI who?

West Ham United continued their winning run without a certain Frenchman with a 3-1 victory at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

The game saw Andy Carroll bag another two goals and also saw Angelo Ogbonna show Mr Payet just how important it is to be a team player.

Hammers boss Slaven Bilic has now confirmed the Italian defender requires season-ending surgery on a knee injury.

The ex-Juventus man has had the injury for most of the season, but put the team first in agreeing to continue playing through the pain.

Ogbonna should be praised for remaining in the team and the wantaway Payet could learn a thing or two from the Italian international.

The central defender has been shaky this term, and been prone to errors - much like the rest of the Hammers squad in a disappointing campaign.

But now it’s clear that the reason for Ogbonna’s struggles is because of his long-standing knee problem.

Most players would refuse to play on if in so much pain, even if the manager asks them to continue.

But Ogbonna agreed and Hammers fans will certainly appreciate the defender putting the club and Bilic’s needs before his own.

West Ham confirmed the signing of Southampton defender Jose Fonte on Friday, for a fee of £8m.

Fonte - a European Championship winner with Portugal last summer - is a superb signing.

He is a leader at the back, a regular in the Premier League with the Saints and is a reliable defender who I believe will strike up a good partnership with Winston Reid at the heart of the Irons’ defence.

The acquisition of Fonte will allow Ogbonna to finally get the required surgery and could also lead to a more committed character becoming the next fans’ favourite among the Hammers faithful.