Middlesbrough pre-match gallery

West Ham United are preparing hard for Tuesday's npower Championship fixture with Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

The Hammers arrived in the North East on Monday evening before continuing their preparations with a short training session at the team hotel on Tuesday morning. After a nutritional lunch, the players are resting ahead of the evening kick-off on Teesside.

The official website was on hand to capture exclusive behind-the-scenes images of the players and backroom staff getting ready for the big game.

Don't forget, whufc.com and the club's official twitter feed will be on hand to provide team news and live text updates from the Riverside Stadium from around 6.30pm.

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Matt Taylor and James Tomkins enjoyed a healthy breakfast

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The players' boots were laid out ahead of the morning training session

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Manager Sam Allardyce led the way to the training pitch

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O'Brien, Nolan, Tomkins, Collison and Noble were not far behind

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Abdoulaye Faye and Papa Bouba Diop wrapped up against a biting wind

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Fitness coach Eamon Swift led the players on a warm-up jog...

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...before going through a series of stretching exercises

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The goalkeepers went through their own training drills...

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...while Neil McDonald looked after the outfield players

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After training, the players enjoyed a well-earned lunch

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A range of meats and vegetables were served to refuel the players