Changes Afoot

There is good news regarding personnel ahead of the Stoke game - and there are likely to be several changes to the side that lost at QPR on Saturday for what Alan Pardew insists is a 'must-win' game.

"Having Teddy Sheringham, Carl Fletcher, Malky Mackay, and Matthew Etherington back will add to our strength - they have all trained," says Alan.

Calum Davenport, however, remains out of the squad through injury - but could return at the weekend.

Alan says that anything less than two victories in the next brace of games at home will be a disappointment and adds:

"These two upcoming games are 'must-wins' - we need to do whatever it takes to get three points from both of them.

"Stoke have had a good start to the season despite their narrow defeat to Reading at the weekend and everything points to a good game.

"Although they are currently below us in the table, they have to be taken seriously, and Tony Pulis will be all the more determined to ensure his side get a result after Saturday's result for his team.

"It is 'Kids For a Quid' and if the same atmosphere can be generated as it was in the last two such games it will make things difficult for the opposition.

"The scheme is a tremendous one and I can't think of any other club that provides so many opportunities for youngsters, especially with Junior Hammers getting two free games a season."

SQUAD: Bywater, Walker, Repka, Fletcher, Rebrov, Harewood, Lomas, Brevett, Sheringham, Mullins, Mackay, Reo-Coker, Hutchison, Chadwick, Cohen, Zamora, Ferdinand, Etherington.