Senegal coach Alain Giresse says West Ham United have "set a dangerous precedent" after striker Diafra Sakho scored for the Hammers on Sunday, despite missing the African Cup of Nations.

The former Metz striker had originally been included in Giresse's 23-man squad for the tournament in Equatorial Guinea but withdrew due to a back complaint.

And when Senegal requested Sakho flew out to have his injury assessed, the Hammers refused to release the striker on account of his injury.

However Sakho returned to fitness sooner than expected and scored the winner from the bench in Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round win at Bristol City, prompting an angry response from Giresse.

"When you cannot fly for six weeks and then suddenly you're playing a football game, there must be miraculous medicine in England," Giresse told BBC Sport.

"I'm surprised to learn he played.

"This sets a dangerous precedent because you're going to have players claiming they cannot catch planes to Africa but who can still play football," he added.

Sakho wrote the following message on Facebook on Sunday: "You doubt my love and my patriotism.

"The dream to contribute to the victory of my country flew for this year but is not dead.

"Never doubt the lion sleeping in me, as I never doubt the passion that burns within you."

Speaking to talkSPORT after the win at Ashton gate, Hammers boss Sam Allardyce said: "He's still unable to fly.

"We had to drive him down in a limo on Saturday afternoon, but other than that he said he can get out on the pitch and just see how he goes.

"We don't think we're doing anything wrong with what we've done and how we've approached it."