Team News: Alan Pardew is without goalkeeper
Shaka Hislop, who sustained a slight hamstring in Wednesday
night's FA Cup replay win over Bolton Wanderers, meaning that
Stephen Bywater or Jimmy Walker - recently returned from serious
injury - will get their opportunity between the sticks. The Hammers
boss is expected to make further changes ahead of Monday
night's FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester City, but has
included all senior players in his 21-man squad for the visit of
Harry Redknapp's men.
Squad to face Portsmouth: Walker, Bywater, Scaloni, Dailly,
Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Collins, Ward, Konchesky, Clarke, Benayoun,
Newton, Mullins, Reo-Coker, Fletcher, Etherington, Katan, Ashton,
Sheringham, Harewood, Zamora.
Meanwhile, Portsmouth could recall defender Noe Pamarot after
injury, while midfielder Gary O'Neil has recovered from an
ankle injury. Bulgarian striker Svetoslav Todorov is set to start
against his former club, as are Lomana LuaLua and Argentine
playmaker Andres D'Alessandro, who both enjoyed trials at Upton
Park during Harry Redknapp's reign as manager.
Previous meetings: Portsmouth visit Upton Park today for
the first time since January 1993, when goals from Trevor Morley
and Colin Foster earned Hammers a 2-1 victory during our
promotion-winning campaign. On the home side that day were Ludek
Miklosko and Kevin Keen - both now on Alan Pardew's coaching
staff.
The last meeting between the two sides here in the top flight was
way back in February 1988, when Tony Cottee's 67th minute goal
was cancelled out by a strike from Connor in a 1-1 draw.
That was also the scoreline at Fratton Park this season, when James
Collins scored his first goal for the Hammers to earn a point.
Close links: Click here for a look back at some of the players and managers to have been involved with both West Ham United and Portsmouth.