Democratic Republic of Congo International left-back Arthur Masuaku was sent off in an Emirates FA Cup fourth-round defeat to Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium for spitting on opposing midfielder Nick Powell back in January.

As a result, the man who had become a fan favourite over the few months before his dismissal, was handed a six-game that will see him return to action in the Premier League visit of Southampton to the London Stadium this month, over two months since the incident, here are five things that have altered drastically in that time.

League Position

At the time of Masuaku’s much-maligned red card in Lancashire, David Moyes’ side were sitting 11th in the Top-Flight standings, comfortably above the relegation zone.

Fast forward to the March International break, where he will represent DR Congo, and things couldn’t be more different, the club are now 17th and just two points above their next opponents the Saints, that’s a drop of six places and a change of four points.

Form

Without the attack-minded wide man, the Hammers have played six PL matches and picked up a mere four points with the same number of defeats coming against Brighton & Hove Albion, Swansea City, Liverpool and Burnley.

Their only victory was over Watford and draw at home to Crystal Palace, if the first factor wasn’t a sure enough sign of how much he has been missed, this one certainly is, especially when you consider that when they lost him, the East Londoners had only tasted defeat in two of their last 12 games.

Teammates

Masuaku will be returning to a team that involves some fresh faces, ones that have arrived during his suspension period such as the trio of Portuguese International Joao Mario, former Preston North End forward Jordan Hugill and veteran Patrice Evra.

There have also been some departures since too, namely strikers Diafra Sakho and Andre Ayew and centre-back Jose Fonte, on a permanent basis anyway with Reece Oxford, Reece Burke, Josh Cullen, Moses Makasi and Antonio Martinez leaving on loan, while he has trained with them, it’s unclear how he will gel with his new comrades on the pitch.

Priorities

With a change in form and league position on such a scale due to his absence, the ex-Olympiacos star will now be gearing up for his first serious relegation battle in English football.

Moyes’ boys were looking up at the possibility of European football, a top-half finish and possibly even cup glory instead of down at the dreaded drop zone a mere place below at the time of the first dismissal of his career, Masuaku certainly will be entering a whole different battle.

Atmosphere

A sense of harmony and optimism that had greeted West Ham’s upturn in form, which ended with their first defeat of 2018 on the day that he was sent-off, has now all but disappeared in East London over the 52 days it will be when he pulls on a Claret & Blue shirt on 31 March.

Three defeats in succession and supporter tension over the way the club is being run boiled over during the most recent league loss to the Carets (Insert Link), resulting in protests in the stands and several pitch invasions that ground the affair to a halt, there has even been talk of the visit of the Saints to Stratford being played behind closed doors.

Masuaku should get the opportunity to stretch his legs in his nation’s friendly with Tanzania next Tuesday before flying back to the English capital for his Premier League comeback.

While the reception he gets will tell whether things have been forgotten and he has been forgiven, there can be little doubting that his pace and attacking flare have been sorely missed over February and March, what better way to redeem himself than helping the Irons to a triumph in a relegation six-pointer in 11 days’ time?

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