Things are suddenly looking a lot brighter for West Ham after three successive wins over the Christmas period.

Slaven Bilic’s men were thumped 5-1 at home by Arsenal on December 3, a result which left them a point and a place above the bottom three.

However, a credible 2-2 draw away at Liverpool got them back on track, before crucial home victories over Burnley and Hull moved the Hammers clear of the relegation zone at Christmas.

Bilic’s side then produced another solid performance in beating struggling Swansea 4-1 on Boxing Day, and they now sit 11th in the table and eight points clear of danger after a fine run of form.

They’ll hope to record a fourth successive league win on New Year’s Eve when they travel to champions Leicester, who themselves are struggling near the foot of the table after nine defeats in their 18 league games this season.

Claudio Ranieri’s side lost 2-0 at home to Everton on Boxing Day to slip to 16th in the division, and they could really do with three points against West Ham on Saturday.

With a tricky game against Manchester United to come on Monday for the Hammers, Bilic may consider rotating a few of his players against Leicester, so here are THREE who deserve a chance at the King Power Stadium on New Year’s Eve…

Edimilson Fernandes

Everton played with pace on the counter attack in their victory over Leicester on Boxing Day, and it wouldn’t be at all surprising if West Ham did the same on New Year’s Eve.

Thus, Bilic could be tempted to draft Edimilson Fernandes into his starting eleven.

The 20-year-old has only made three league starts for the Hammers this season, but came on to great effect against Hull on December 17, causing the Tigers several problems but also doing his defensive duties well.

West Ham will need to defend well at the King Power and then be clinical on the break and, with someone like Fernandes in the side, they could do just that.

Sam Byram

Sam Byram hasn’t featured for West Ham since tearing a hamstring muscle against Middlesbrough on October 1, but could make his return on New Year’s Eve at Leicester.

The 23-year-old made five Premier League appearances for the Hammers prior to his injury in their 1-1 draw with Boro, and has since been restricted to a spell on the sidelines.

However, the former Leeds man said at the start of December that he was hoping for a return near the end of month, and Bilic may look to include him in the match-day squad and perhaps give him a few minutes against Leicester in a bid to build up his fitness.

Ashley Fletcher

Andy Carroll was excellent against Swansea on Boxing Day, and it’s likely that he’ll retain his place in the side against Leicester on Saturday.

However, Bilic may include Ashley Fletcher as well in a bid to get at a shaky Leicester backline that has conceded six goals in their last three home games.

The young forward is quick and could drag the likes of Robert Huth and Wes Morgan out of position, but he can also latch onto whatever Carroll wins in the air.

It’s a combination that could work against the Foxes on Saturday.