Pictured: Forgotten man Winston Reid seen by fans for first time in months during hospital visit

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Winston Reid has become something of a forgotten man at West Ham United.

The brilliant defender was handed a six-year deal in 2017 but has struggled with injuries ever since.

He secured his place in Hammers folklore by scoring the winner in a thrilling 3-2 win over Manchester United to bring the curtain down on the club’s former Upton Park home in fairytale fashion.

Reid has been out of action since suffering a freak knee injury in West Ham’s game at Swansea back in March.

The New Zealand star was knocked unconscious and fell to the ground awkwardly in the incident.

Reid needed surgery after a setback and while no date has been set for his return it would be a surprise to see him back in action this season.

Diop and Balbuena have filled Reid void

Missing their star centre back, West Ham signed Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena in the summer.

The pair have forged an excellent partnership to ensure Reid has not been missed.

But supporters to get their first glimpse of the Kiwi for many months when he attended the club’s recent Christmas visit to Richard House Hospice.

Reid was pictured with fellow Hammers stars Andy Carroll, Javier Hernandez and Felipe Anderson during the visit.

The defender met youngsters and handed out Christmas goodies and gifts while posing for photographs.

Fans get first glimpse of Reid for months

It was great to see Reid after such a long while.

Long-term injury and the rehabilitation that goes with it can be a long and lonely road.

The positive for West Ham is that when he does eventually return he will be like a new signing for Pellegrini.

The last time fans heard from Reid was back in October.

He spoke to the official website about his recovery and was longing for the day he is back on the training pitches.

‘I go to every game’

“Once I get to that stage, back out on the pitch, it’ll progress a lot quicker and I’ll see the guys and talk to them, rather than being in the gym working with (fitness coach) Dom!” he told whufc.com.

“I go to every game and encourage the guys to do well and I want us to kick on. And, likewise, they encourage me to put the work in to get myself back in action, so it’s good.”

Everyone at West Ham hopes to see Winston back fit and healthy sooner rather than later.