Benayoun's back for Hammers
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce will welcome Yossi Benayoun back into his squad to face Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.
The former Reds midfielder missed the Hammers' 3-1 win over Chelsea as he was ineligible to appear against his parent club.
Andy Carroll (knee) could be missing for two months but would not have been able to feature against Liverpool due to the terms of his loan, while Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder), Alou Diarra (thigh) and Jack Collison (knee) are all definitely out.
West Ham were this wek confirmed as the preferred bidder for the Olympiuc Stadium, but Allardyce is concentrating on matters on the field.
"I'm far too busy focusing on football and Liverpool at the moment to consider that, it is not in my domain at the moment," he said.
"Mine is getting these players ready for Liverpool with our injury plight still a concern - a great result doesn't overshadow the fact we are struggling with injuries.
"The squad is at its limit at the moment and we have to try and get those players back as quickly as possible with the hardest month of the year coming up."
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is suspended for the trip to Upton Park after accumulating five bookings.
Manager Brendan Rodgers has played midfielder Jonjo Shelvey in a 'false nine' position before and could do so again as a stop-gap with no other senior strikers fit.
"Luis is a world class striker so everything he touches goes in," said Romford-born Shelvey, who grew up supporting the Hammers and played for their youth team.
"I played there against Young Boys there and thought I did all right, I did a job for the team.
"It is difficult to adjust because you have your back to your opponent all the time whereas in midfield you can see in front of you, so it is difficult in that respect.
"It is a different type of fitness as well but I'll be ready for it.
"You have to be aware of where other players are each side of you and in that respect I think I have got to do some work.
"But you play where you are told and it is always an honour to play.
"I'm excited because it is the team I supported but it is not an easy player's boots to fill.
"West Ham are a good team and a different type to play against as they are a bit more direct that others in the Premier League."
Captain Steven Gerrard, left out of the Europa League squad which beat Udinese in Italy because of illness, will return as will the rested Daniel Agger and Lucas Leiva.
Source: DSG
