REVITALISED Don Hutchison is set to make his second start of the season against Brighton this weekend, after impressing in the Hammers 2-1 win over QPR at Upton Park.
Manager Alan Pardew was delighted with the Scottish international's performance and is hoping for more of the same this weekend.
"Don put in an excellent performance against QPR," said Alan, "and hopefully he¹ll be able to keep that form going this weekend.
"Don has had a tough year with injuries and personal problems, but he¹s battled back and it was great to see him do so well in his first start of the season.
"It's been good to get some experience into the side with Don, and also Steve Lomas, who was a big loss last season through injury. Steve is the sort of player who builds up for big games and he's a top performer in this division. With Don and Steve back, it's like having two new top-quality players in the squad."
Of course, the inclusion of Don and Marlon Harewood, who has bagged nine goals for the Hammers this season, means former Brighton star Bobby Zamora is likely to start from the bench on Saturday.
Alan added: "Bobby is desperate to play regularly for West Ham United and when he came on against QPR I thought he looked very dangerous. He had a hand in Marlon's goal and showed some good touches.
"Bobby is working very hard in training and I know he'd really want to be involved against his old club."
Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker is available for the Brighton game after overcoming a knee injury, and Teddy Sheringham, although unavailable for this weekend¹s game, is desperate to be fit for next Sunday¹s lunch-time clash with his old club Millwall.
"Nigel will be available for this weekend," revealed Alan, "but Teddy will definitely not make it. He has a thigh injury, which is complicated because it¹s in his kicking muscle.
"It won¹t require surgery, but does need a lot of rest. We'll see how it progresses this week. Teddy desperately wants to play against Millwall, but it's too early to say one way or the other."
"Malky Mackay is having treatment for a calf strain and making a good recovery. He should be ready in a couple of weeks. That just leaves Christian Dailly who is recovering after a successful knee operation. Christian is working very hard in the gym, and has done a lot of work on the rowing machine, but is still about six weeks away from returning to action."
The team to face Brighton at Upton Park will be chosen from the following squad:
Bywater (GK), Walker (GK), Repka, Fletcher, Powell, Harewood, Lomas, Brevett, Davenport, Rebrov, Mullins, Reo-Coker, Hutchison, Chadwick, Zamora, Etherington, Ferdinand, Melville.