Source: SKY_Sports
West Ham v Sunderland preview
West Ham will have to do without star striker Carlton Cole as they aim to step up their European push against Sunderland on Saturday.
The Hammers are joint-seventh with Wigan and seven points off the top six after a four-match unbeaten run but have been shorn of the services of their top scorer for most of the season run-in.
Cole is set to be out for six weeks after suffering a groin injury while winning his second England cap in Saturday's 4-0 friendly win over Slovakia.
Influential midfielder Scott Parker also has a groin problem but is expected to play in a game in which Sunderland are hoping for a vast improvement.
The Black Cats have slipped back to within touching distance of the bottom three after claiming just two points from the last 15 on offer.
Top scorer Djibril Cisse was also arrested in the early hours of Monday morning after an incident outside a Newcastle lap-dancing club.
But manager Ricky Sbragia insists Cisse has looked focused in training this week and is ready to lead the line for Sunderland at Upton Park.
Besides Cole, the hosts also have fitness concerns over Radoslav Kovac (thigh), although central defenders Matthew Upson and James Collins are both fit again.
Savio Nsereko has recovered from a minor knee injury and could return in place of Luis Boa Morte, although Kieron Dyer (calf) is pushing for his first start of the season after recovering from his latest injury setback.
Sunderland cannot call upon defender Calum Davenport as he is on loan from the Hammers.
Although George McCartney's red card in the 1-0 defeat at Manchester City last time out has been rescinded, the full-back is doubtful after suffering a calf injury in Northern Ireland's win over Slovenia on Wednesday.
Sbragia will also give Kenwyne Jones and Carlos Edwards late fitness checks after they appeared for Trinidad & Tobago against the USA.
Kieran Richardson could replace Edwards in the starting line-up as the winger is back from suspension, although Andy Reid is also in contention for a recall in midfield.
Goalkeeper Craig Gordon is pushing for a return after playing for Scotland in midweek while defender Nyron Nosworthy is back in the squad after coming through a reserve game on Thursday.
Possible starting XIs
West Ham: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Noble, Kovac, Parker, Boa Morte, Di Michele, Tristan.
Sunderland: Fulop, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Collins, McCartney, Malbranque, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Richardson, Jones, Cisse.
