Hammers have named a strong reserve side to face Aston
Villa at Upton Park this evening.
Kevin Keen, who was yesterday confirmed as Alan Pardew's new
First Team Coach following the departure of Peter Grant to Norwich
City, will take charge for tonight's game, and has an
experienced squad to select from.
Strikers Marlon Harewood and Carlton Cole are set to start in
attack after making brief substitute appearances at Portsmouth on
Saturday, while defenders Tyrone Mears and John Pantsil will make
their comebacks from injury.
Summer signing George McCartney is in line to make his first appearance for the Club after recovering from a knee ligament injury, and goalkeeper Robert Green continues his push towards full fitness.
Meanwhile, former England striker Chris Sutton is expected to
make his first appearance for Villa after signing for Martin
O'Neill's team from Celtic recently.
The match kicks off at 7.00pm, and entrance will be available via
the Dr Martens Stand - free to season ticket holders (season ticket
cards must be produced on request), or £3.00 for adults and
£1.00 for under-16s/senior citizens.
Hammers squad: Green, Pantsil, McCartney, Mears, Ngala, Dailly,
Stokes, Ephraim, Reid, Harewood, Cole, Blackmore, Stanislas,
Collison, Jeffery, Spence, Fitzgerald.