Reserves face Villa test

Alex Dyer's reserve team travel to the Midlands to play the rearranged fixture against Aston Villa on Tuesday evening.

The key Barclays Premier Reserve League South match sees first play third, and the result could go a long way to determining the destination of the title. "I know it's going to be a hard game, they are top of the league and they have a good set up," reserve-team manager Dyer said. "I've told the boys to expect a hard game and I think we are prepared for it."

The Hammers second string are in good form themselves,  having won their previous two games - against Chelsea and Portsmouth. Those victories ensured the team maintained their remarkable 100 per cent home record this season, although they have found it slightly harder going on their travels.

Several players who missed out on Gianfranco Zola's starting XI at Newcastle United on Saturday due to the strength in depth could feature at Hinckley United's Marston's Stadium. The likes of Kieron Dyer, James Tomkins, Jonathan Spector and Freddie Sears could start alongside some of the younger players who have just returned from successful loan spells at lower league clubs.

Alex Dyer said: "All the lads are firing and they want to play but I'm going to have to leave some of them out as we're going to have a few of the first-team squad members. It might be that some of the lads that played in the last game [the 4-3 win over Chelsea] will miss this game but we are all in it together and they will all play a part whether it is in this game or some of the games coming up."