Maxwel Cornet wants West Ham United to go into the international break with a Europa Conference League win on Thursday.

AEK Larnaca visit London Stadium for the second leg of their last-16 tie, with the Hammers having won 2-0 in Cyprus last week thanks to a Michail Antonio brace.

Cornet came off the bench for the last seven minutes, replacing Pablo Fornals, and was then a late replacement for Danny Ings in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

It was his first appearance in the Premier League since suffering a calf injury back in October and he is hoping to play more of a role moving forwards.

"It’s important to win the game against AEK Larnaca before the international break," he told whufc.com.

"It's important for the confidence and to go to the national team [feeling good], and when we’re back to be ready to do the work.

"It feels really good to be back with the lads. It was a while that I was away, but now I’m really happy to be in the squad and try to help the guys.

"It has not been easy [because the injury was complicated]. All the West Ham staff have did really well with me. Now it’s okay, I’m feeling very good, with confidence, and let’s move forward.

"I worked hard [during my recovery] in France, because I already knew it would be tough when I came back.

"We have a lot of [weekend then] midweek games and I have to be ready and that’s why I really [put the work in] over there in France."

West Ham dropped back into the relegation zone on Saturday, after wins for Everton and Bournemouth, and then saw Ollie Watkins head Villa in front after just 17 minutes at London Stadium a day later.

But Said Benrahma levelled from the penalty spot after Leon Bailey fouled Lucas Paqueta to allow David Moyes' men to climb out of the drop zone again on goal difference.

And Cornet is hoping the point gained proves to be an important one, adding: "It was a really frustrating game, but when we can’t win it’s important not to lose.

"We were strong, we conceded the first goal, but we scored with Saïd and that was important for the mind and the confidence for the next game.

"We really showed our character. It was important to continue on the same way [following the win against AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Europa Conference League] and like I said, if we can’t win it’s important not to lose – and it will be an important point at the end of the season."