West Ham have the chance to forget their Premier League plight when they take on Stoke in the Carling Cup.
Hammers host Stoke in cup clash
West Ham have the chance to forget their Premier League plight when they take on Stoke in the Carling Cup.
Tony Pulis' side travel to Upton Park for the fourth-round clash, with a place at Wembley on the horizon.
West Ham, meanwhile, have made a poor start to the top-flight campaign under Israeli boss Avram Grant and currently sit bottom of the table.
A win against the Potters would lift the spirits in East London but Stoke will prove a tough physical test against a Hammers outfit that have not been free-scoring of late.
And West Ham are set to be without captain Matthew Upson and striker Frederic Piquionne for the home tie.
Both players went off injured during Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Newcastle and are unlikely to be fit.
Midfielders Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh), Zavon Hines and Jack Collison (both knee) are long-term injury absentees.
Dean Whitehead is available for Stoke after completing a one-match suspension.
Midfielder Whitehead was banned for Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United having picked up his fifth booking of the campaign the previous weekend at Bolton.
Danny Collins is likely to miss out after sustaining an injury against United, while Tuncay Sanli, who came off the bench in that game to score the Potters' equaliser, is set to start along with goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
Ricardo Fuller has been nursing a shoulder problem but could play some part in the contest at Upton Park.
