West Ham will hope to continue their improved home form as they host stuttering Bolton at Upton Park.

Hammers looking for fifth straight clean sheet at Upton Park

West Ham will hope to continue their improving home form as they host stuttering Bolton at Upton Park on Saturday. The Hammers have not conceded in their last four Premier League games at home but, despite climbing up to 13th place, they sit just three points above the relegation zone. The Trotters head into the clash on the back of a 1-0 win over Wolves, but their form has taken a knock since the turn of the year as the optimism around Owen Coyle's appointment continues to fade. Coyle's side, however, will be buoyed by the fact Bolton have won all of the last five meetings between these two sides, with striker Kevin Davies netting seven times in his last nine games against the Londoners.

Hammers news

Defence is Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola's main concern with three injuries leaving him short of cover across the back line but Mathew Upson, fresh from his midweek England start, is set to captain the side. Herita Ilunga (knee), Daniel Gabbidon (hamstring) and Calum Davenport (leg) are all unavailable to the Italian, with a lack of funds preventing him from adding extra weight to his squad in January. In midfield, Luis Boa Morte remains a long-term absentee but otherwise the Hammers should be full strength in the centre of the park. Carlton Cole should return from his England substitute appearance to start up front but January signing Benny McCarthy is a doubt as he struggles to overcome a knee injury. Zavon Hines remains sidelined with a knee injury but Zola has a wealth of options with which to choose from to pair up with target man Cole.

Bolton news

Influential defender Gary Cahill, who has scored in three of the last four meetings with West Ham, will miss out once more and is expected to be out for at least another month. Chris Basham and Joey O'Brien both remain unavailable through knee injuries but boss Coyle has no shortage of options at the back. Midfield is a problem area, however, with three key players expected to miss the visit to London, with Bolton having failed to find the net in their last four Premier League away games. Mark Davies looks set to miss out through an ankle problem while a thigh injury leaves Gavin McCann fighting for fitness. With Sean Davis expected to miss the rest of the season through a knee injury, central midfield is Coyle's main concern with American Stuart Holden also not expected to return until next month. Up front, Coyle has no worries regarding availability, but Johan Elmander's fine goal for Sweden against Wales in midweek may give the Scot plenty to think about as to who partners captain Davies.

Possible starting XIs

West Ham: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Spector, Behrami, Parker, Kovac, Diamanti, Franco, Cole. Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Ricketts, Knight, Robinson, Muamba, Lee, Wilshere, Taylor, Elmander, Kevin Davies.