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West Ham United vs Blackburn Rovers. Premier League.

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West Ham v Blackburn preview

Image: Ince poses with his latest shirt

Paul Ince can expect a white hot reception as he returns to West Ham as Blackburn manager.

Ince returns to Upton Park for first time as a manager

Saturday's game at Upton Park could manifest the somewhat unique event of both managers being booed by the home supporters as West Ham host Blackburn. The Hammers faithful made clear their feelings towards Alan Curbishley in Wednesday's night Carling Cup game against Macclesfield, but he can at least draw consolation from the fact Ince - persona non grata in East London - is even less popular. Ince's posing in a Manchester United shirt when still a West Ham player was not his finest hour, but then he has never been a man to let the opinions of others unduly concern him. His meteoric rise to the highest managerial echelons has been met with scepticism from some quarters but Rovers' bright start to the new campaign has hushed the doubters for now. For Curbishley, though, it is a case of riding out the storm and he will be well aware a second win from three league games would make a mockery of those that feel a change is needed in the dugout. Although, another display in the manner of their hapless defeat at Manchester City will raise the pressure up a notch further.

Neill returns

Captain Lucas Neill was rested in midweek but should return against his former club while new boy Valon Behrami is expected to play despite breaking his front tooth against the Silkmen. George McCartney has made his comeback from a virus, but the game could come too soon for Craig Bellamy - who is struggling with a hamstring injury. Kieron Dyer (broken leg), Jonathan Spector (hip), Danny Gabbidon (stomach), James Tompkins (leg) and James Collins (knee) remain more long-term absentees. A number of Blackburn's fringe players, in particular Carlos Villanueva and Matt Derbyshire, impressed in Rovers' 4-1 defeat of Grimsby in midweek but Ince has already made clear he will stick with those that have taken four points from six to date.
Andrews acquisition
New signing Keith Andrews will have to content himself with a place on the bench at best, with Benni McCarthy to keep him company, as Jason Roberts and Roque Santa Cruz look to further fine-tune what looks to be a bright partnership. David Dunn will hope to continue his impressive early season form as he lines up alongside Aaron Mokoena, another player who has looked rejuvenated under Ince's tenure. Ince has been typically bullish in insisting a white hot reception will not faze him, as has Curbishley, but beneath the steely facades both will be privately praying jeers turn to cheers come 4.45pm.
Possible starting XIs
West Ham: Green, Neill, Upson, McCartney, Bowyer, Parker, Noble, Behrami, Faubert, Cole, Ashton. Blackburn: Robinson, Ooijer, Samba, Warnock, Nelsen, Reid, Dunn, Mokoena, Pedersen, Santa Cruz, Roberts.

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