Paul Kitson is the latest player to fall victim to West Ham's
apparent injury jinx, and misses the trip to Anfield.
His hamstring problem paves the way for Svetoslav Todorov to partner Paolo Di Canio up front.
It is a huge disappointment for Paul, who was hoping, in the absence of Fredi Kanoute, to prove that he can still contribute effectively to the first team cause after two years of limited opportunities.
16 year old defender Glen Johnson also makes the trip, along with the inexperienced Grant McCann and Richard Garcia.
Physio John Green says that Fredi is well on the way to recovery, however, revealing:
"Frederic Kanoute strained his hamstring and then there was a bereavement in his family so he was flown home to be with his family.
"So we have only seen him back last week and we immediately had his injury re-scanned.
"His hamstring has fully healed and he has been given the all-clear to start some rehabilitation.
"I think the most sensible thing is that he won't play in the first two games but he will play against Derby, without doubt.
"There is a possibility that if things go really well he may be considered to play against Leeds.
"But Glenn may feel it isn't worth risking him given that there is a two week break after that."
He also says that Trevor Sinclair will be 100% fit at Anfield after coming through the summer with flying colours.
"We all know from having watched him at the football club just how stoical and how committed Trevor Sinclair is, and I think that goes a long way.
"The amount of effort he showed in the summer to get back has reaped dividends.
"He has come back from the operation well."
SQUAD: Hislop, Forrest, Bywater, Song, Dailly, Schemmel, Soma, Sinclair, Winterburn, Carrick, Moncur, Cole, Di Canio, Todorov, Defoe, Courtois, Potts, McCann, Garcia, Johnson.
His hamstring problem paves the way for Svetoslav Todorov to partner Paolo Di Canio up front.
It is a huge disappointment for Paul, who was hoping, in the absence of Fredi Kanoute, to prove that he can still contribute effectively to the first team cause after two years of limited opportunities.
16 year old defender Glen Johnson also makes the trip, along with the inexperienced Grant McCann and Richard Garcia.
Physio John Green says that Fredi is well on the way to recovery, however, revealing:
"Frederic Kanoute strained his hamstring and then there was a bereavement in his family so he was flown home to be with his family.
"So we have only seen him back last week and we immediately had his injury re-scanned.
"His hamstring has fully healed and he has been given the all-clear to start some rehabilitation.
"I think the most sensible thing is that he won't play in the first two games but he will play against Derby, without doubt.
"There is a possibility that if things go really well he may be considered to play against Leeds.
"But Glenn may feel it isn't worth risking him given that there is a two week break after that."
He also says that Trevor Sinclair will be 100% fit at Anfield after coming through the summer with flying colours.
"We all know from having watched him at the football club just how stoical and how committed Trevor Sinclair is, and I think that goes a long way.
"The amount of effort he showed in the summer to get back has reaped dividends.
"He has come back from the operation well."
SQUAD: Hislop, Forrest, Bywater, Song, Dailly, Schemmel, Soma, Sinclair, Winterburn, Carrick, Moncur, Cole, Di Canio, Todorov, Defoe, Courtois, Potts, McCann, Garcia, Johnson.