Burnley V West Ham at Turf Moor : Match Preview

28 October 2013 17:31
Burnley V West Ham - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Ings confident of cup success

Danny Ings is adamant that Sky Bet Championship table-toppers Burnley will extend their unbeaten home run and book a place in the Capital One Cup's last eight at the expense of West Ham.


Turf Moor, where the Clarets have not lost in their last 13 contests, has been a fortress for Sean Dyche's men in the League Cup too, with the previous 10 ties at their East Lancashire home all having been won by the hosts.


Those statistics, coupled with the fact Burnley have equalled their best-ever start to a season, suggests the Hammers' trip will be all the more daunting just two days after they travelled to south Wales to face Swansea.


It is therefore no surprise that Burnley's leading goalscorer Ings is so insistent the Barclays Premier League club will become the 11th straight scalp on Tuesday night.


"I'm sure we're going to beat them," said the 21-year-old.


"I'm really confident about that game. I'm sure with the confidence we've got at the moment we can turn anyone over. The crowd have been great getting behind us and it seems to be getting louder and louder."


The form of Ings and his fellow striker Sam Vokes, who have scored 21 goals between them, is a large reason for the Clarets' success this season and their partnership could prove pivotal once more, particularly given the limited options that West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has in his own attacking department.


However, even if Allardyce does again deploy his much-talked-about 4-6-0 formation, Ings has inside knowledge of the man likely to pose the biggest threat to his team-mates.


Ravel Morrison was in the England Under-21s squad when Ings was called up to Gareth Southgate's set-up earlier this month and the former Manchester United prodigy certainly caught the eye.


"He's got all the ability in the world, he's a great player," said Ings.


"On the ball he's incredible. He was really good in training, he scored some ridiculous goals as well, he's a good player."


Saturday's 2-0 win over QPR was seen as a statement for Burnley's play-off aspirations although a raft of injuries in midfield have left them looking short in midfield.


David Jones will serve a one-match ban against West Ham after picking up five yellow cards and injured duo Scott Arfield, who missed out against Rangers, and Dean Marney are both rated 50-50.


Carlton Cole hopes to make his second full 'debut' for West Ham on Tuesday night.


The former England striker recently re-signed for the Hammers on a short-term deal, having previously been released over the summer following seven years at Upton Park, and he came on as a substitute in Sunday's 0-0 draw at Swansea.


Allardyce brought the 29-year-old back to the club having failed to land another forward before the transfer window closed and with big-money signing Andy Carroll yet to figure this season due to a foot injury.


Allardyce has since lost Ricardo Vaz Te for the foreseeable future after he dislocated his shoulder at Swansea, giving Cole the chance to lead the attack.


"The next game we've got is Burnley and hopefully we can get goals there," he told West Ham TV.


"Everyone knows I need minutes for match fitness. Sunday was a good start on my way to recovery. I'm now hoping to get the minutes and the goals to get us through to the next round.


"It was really good to be out there again. I was disappointed we didn't win but we were away from home so you can't ask for much more than getting a clean sheet.


"The boys have been doing well and we've got to give credit to them for only conceding one goal away from home so far this season. It's a huge credit to all the playing staff and the management as well.


"I'm chuffed to get back and to be involved in it again. Any footballer will tell you that have to work hard and the manager has noticed that I was working hard and has given me a new deal."


Another player eager to impress is Jack Collison, who will be in the squad after returning from a month on loan at Bournemouth.


The 25-year-old midfielder, who has been plagued with knee problems throughout his career, has not ruled out going back to Dean Court if he cannot secure a regular spot with the Hammers.


He told the Daily Echo: "I will be looking to play in the League Cup tie and then see where I am after that. I would like to force my way into the West Ham team but if it's not to be, it's not to be.


"I have had a fantastic time here and would definitely be open to coming back and trying to improve on what I did."


Source: PA