Source: SKY_Sports
Boro v West Ham preview
Middlesbrough hope the FA Cup will provide some welcome respite from their Premier League woes in the fifth-round replay at home to West Ham United. Gareth Southgate's side have tumbled into the relegation zone after failing to win in 14 games, while also scoring just once in nine league matches.Boro have at least troubled the scorers in the FA Cup, beating Barrow and Wolves en route to facing West Ham, with the first fixture finishing 1-1 at Upton Park.Southgate insists Afonso Alves should not shoulder all the blame for Boro's problems in front of goal and the Brazilian striker is set to start up front.Injury troublesJeremie Aliadiere is pushing for a place after coming on as a substitute in the 0-0 draw with Wigan on Saturday, but Didier Digard is out.Digard is facing a battle to play again this season after the French midfielder suffered knee and thigh injuries following a challenge by former Boro youngster Lee Cattermole at the weekend.Marlon King, who was ineligible to face parent club Wigan, is still unavailable after he featured in the FA Cup while on loan at Hull City.Chris Riggott and Andrew Taylor are out, while Brad Jones is expected to retain his place in goal ahead of Ross Turnbull.Strong HammersHammers boss Gianfranco Zola is treating the FA Cup seriously and will pick as strong a team as possible for the replay at the Riverside.Zola has already enjoyed one successful cup trip to the North East this season after Valon Behrami and Mark Noble scored in a 2-0 win at Hartlepool in the last round.Lucas Neill is available after missing the 2-1 defeat at Bolton due to suspension and he is likely to replace Jonathan Spector at right-back.With James Collins out for a few weeks due to injury, James Tomkins is hoping he will be given the nod to partner Matthew Upson at centre-half.Czech Republic midfielder Radoslav Kovac is in line to make his Hammers debut, while fellow new boy Savio Nsereko is pushing for his first start.Dean Ashton, Luis Boa Morte, Danny Gabbidon and Kieron Dyer are out, while youngster Bondz N'Gala has travelled with the squad.