Team news for the Premier League match between West Ham United and Hull City at Upton Park on Sunday, January 18, 2015 (kick-off 1.30pm).West Ham United news
SAM Allardyce has revealed West Ham United could welcome back both Winston Reid and Guy Demel for Hull City's arrival in London.
The two defenders missed the FA Cup replay win over Everton on Tuesday but have been given a fighting chance of returning to face the Tigers.
Reid, a transfer target for Arsenal and Tottenham, could be handed a start, but the best Demel could hope for would be a place on the bench.
West Ham are blessed with a healthy squad but will still be without Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho.
Kouyate has joined up with Senegal for the African Cup of Nations starting next week, while Sakho is ruled out with a back injury that denied him the chance to chase international honours.
The influence of Sakho, who has scored nine goals in 15 games since arriving from Boulogne last summer, will be missed for at least another week.
Allardyce's biggest concern will be identifying fatigue in a team that was taken all the way by Everton in midweek.
A near full-strength side needed extra-time and penalties to finally overcome the Toffees and Allardyce will be tempted into one or two changes to freshen things up.
Line-up: Adrian (GK); Jenkinson, Collins, Tomkins, Cresswell; Noble, Song; Jarvis, Downing, Valencia; Carroll.
Subs: Jaaskelainen (GK), Reid, Nolan, O'Brien, Vaz Te, Amalfitano, Cole.Hull City team newsSteve Bruce is hopeful he will be able to recall Sone Aluko and Gaston Ramirez to ease Hull City's injury crisis.
Aluko (calf) and Ramirez (groin) both missed last weekend's 1-0 loss at West Brom but handed Bruce a lift when making early returns to training on Friday.
Assessments will be made on the pair's fitness but there is optimism both can play a part at Upton Park.
City's options have been depleted in the last week with the loss of Nikica Jelavic (knee) and Abel Hernadez (groin) for up to six weeks.
They join Andy Robertson (ankle), Liam Rosenior (hamstring), Mo Diame (knee) and Robert Snodgrass (knee) on a lengthy list of absentees for Saturday's game.
A lack of numbers is particularly apparent in City's attack. Although Aluko and Ramirez could be fit to return, there is only Tom Ince, Robbie Brady and Yannick Sagbo as recognised alternatives.
Bruce has given thought to starting Harry Maguire as a makeshift forward but admitted that challenge may prove beyond the defender.
Michael Dawson, who has not played since mid-December due to a hamstring injury, will be considered for a recall in defence.
Line-up: McGregor; Chester, Bruce, Dawson, Figueroa; Elmohamady, Livermore, Meyler, Quinn; Ramirez, Aluko.
Subs: Harper (GK), Davies, Maguire, Brady, Sagbo, Huddlestone, InceKey clashAndy Carroll and Alex Bruce needed to be patient before assuming lead roles in their team's season and their managers will hope they come out of this tussle with their good form intact.
Not too long ago, Alex Bruce was playing second fiddle in the Hull City defensive ranks, but making the most of his opportunity due to injuries, he has become a vital cog once more.
Carroll, meanwhile, had to wait until November to make his first appearance of the term. The one-time England star has since notched four goals in 11 games to fire West Ham up the table.
West Ham are not afraid to go direct to Carroll, who will attack every high ball, and that means Bruce must stand tall if the Tigers are to escape with a big result.Form
The magnificent run through November and into December has gone slightly off the rails of late and West Ham have now failed to win in four Premier League games since Christmas.
Defeats to Chelsea and Arsenal were accepted gracefully, but there was frustration when leads were surrendered against West Brom and Swansea.
Upton Park remains a happy hunting ground for the Hammers. The 11 games there this season have returned an impressive 20 points ahead of City's visit.West Ham prospects
After reaching Christmas in fourth, this season has already surpassed the expectations of most supporters.
Premier League survival is a given this year and now the focus is on securing a top-half finish or perhaps even a push for the Europa League.
That would be a huge success for the Hammers, who will also be targeting an FA Cup run. They face League One side Bristol City in the fourth round and a good draw might just open up a path towards Wembley for this competent side.
