Ephraim Earns First Senior Call Up

ALAN Pardew has named promising young midfielder Hogan Ephraim in his squad for the trip to Sheffield United on Sunday after Bobby Zamora was forced to withdraw with a foot injury.

The 16-year-old is a First Year Scholar in the Club's Academy and has already featured in the Hammers Reserve team this season.

Steve Lomas is also back in the squad after recovering from an ankle injury, but Scottish international defender Christian Dailly remains on the injured list.

Alan Pardew said: "Steve Lomas came through a Reserve game in midweek and we're pleased that he'll be back on the team bus heading for Sheffield.

"Unfortunately, Christian Dailly has had a set-back and although he travelled with the Scotland squad to meet up with the new manager we still think he's got a problem with the thigh injury he sustained after working so hard to recover from his knee operation.

"He's actually had a tear in his thigh, where at first we thought it was a strain, and that puts him some way away again, when we were hoping that he was on the verge of returning to fitness."

Tomas Repka returns after serving a one-match suspension for picking up five yellow cards, while Don Hutchison (knee) and Matty Etherington (groin) are also ruled out.

The team to face Sheffield United will be chosen from the following squad:

Bywater (GK), Walker (GK), Mullins, Repka, Mackay, Powell, Ferdinand, Chadwick, Noble, Fletcher, Reo-Coker, Ephraim, Sheringham, Harewood, Cohen, Lomas, McClenahan, Ward.

Sheffield United v West Ham United at Bramall Lane, kick-off 4.00pm. Live on Sky TV.