His timely return to action after a long lay off is nevertheless good news as Glenn Roeder looks at shuffling the pack to get the Hammers off the bottom of the table and, with recent injuries to strikers Fredi Kanoute, Paolo Di Canio, and Jermain Defoe, not to mention Trevor Sinclair who can also operate up front, Don's presence will give him another forward option when he is fully fit.
Also included in the side is Shaun Byrne, who missed out on Republic of Ireland under-21 action last week through injury.
Team: Van der Gouw, Byrne, Labant, Garcia, Iriekpen, Ward, Hutchison, Rahim, Sofiane, Mehmet, Courtois. Subs: Britton, Forde, McMahon, Ferdinand, Allen, Khan.
Meanwhile, an Opta index survey which has compiled a team that they describe as the best since the Premiership began - based on their facts and figures - includes Paolo Di Canio and former Hammer Stuart Pearce.
Glenn Roeder, who took over as boss in the summer of 2001 as Stuart left for Manchester City, says: "He is a real old fashioned person in terms of standards - and he won't mind me saying that.
"He had a great couple of great years at the club, and he gave great service to all of his clubs - not to mention his country - and he is an absolute warrior with high standards.
"Generally speaking standards have slipped in recent years for whatever reason, not just at football clubs but in society, where anything goes - maybe I am showing my age now, but I know other people think the same as me.
"Stuart achieved, set, and maintained the highest standards for himself - and he expected those high standards from his team mates.
"He wasn't slow to voice his opinion if he thought they were slipping, which he was right to do."