West Ham striker Dean Ashton has been in full training this week after missing last week’s win over Derby.

AFTER narrowly avoiding relegation, most fans would celebrate a top-half finish with the sort of gusto usually reserved for Champions League winners.

Matthew Upson is set to return to the West Ham side for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash at struggling Bolton after recovering from a calf injury.

NIKO KRANJCAR drilled in a 61st-minute winner to maintain Portsmouth’s momentum at the expense of Harry Redknapp’s former club West Ham.

Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones returned to the starting line-up as his club went in search of their first back-to-back Barclays Premier League victories in 126 games.

Teenage striker Freddie Sears is struggling to be fit for West Ham’s Barclays Premier League clash at Sunderland after suffering a groin injury.

West Ham hope England defender Matthew Upson can shake off a niggling calf problem to return for the trip to Everton.

ALAN CURBISHLEY last week called for his experienced players to spark his side back into action. But in the event it took young debutant Freddie Sears to breathe life into West Ham’s campaign.

West Ham hope to have England defender Matthew Upson back from a calf problem for the visit of Blackburn tomorrow.

IRRITATED with the officious behaviour of one Tottenham steward, the West Ham fans chanted: “You’re getting sacked in the morning.”

West Ham could have midfielder Scott Parker available again following a knee injury for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham.

Liverpool 4 West Ham 0

AVRAM GRANT, if in reflective mood this morning, may well suggest his gamble to launch an attack on the English media has paid quite spectacular dividends.

Bobby Zamora suffered a blow to the knee during Monday’s reserve team game against Tottenham and is doubtful for tomorrow’s clash with Chelsea.

Fulham 0 West Ham 1

THE England goalkeeper’s jersey might have become football’s answer to the sackcloth once worn by erring devotees, but Chris Kirkland believes he has already paid for his sins.

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley will give late fitness tests to Craig Bellamy and Julien Faubert ahead of their Premier League match against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has more injury worries ahead of the trip to Arsenal on New Year’s Day.

West Ham 2 Manchester United 1

Anton Ferdinand is pushing for a return to the West Ham starting XI for tomorrow’s Premier League clash with Manchester United after returning from two months out with a hamstring injury.

West Ham 1 Reading 1

West Ham 1 Reading 0

Striker Carlton Cole returned from suspension to partner Dean Ashton up front as West Ham manager Alan Curbishley made just one change from last weekend’s 2-1 win at Middlesbrough.

West Ham striker Carlton Cole is hoping to break up Dean Ashton and Henri Camara’s partnership when the Hammers host Reading on St Stephen's Day.

ALAN Curbishley has challenged match-winner Scott Parker to rediscover his golden touch and propel West Ham to European football.

Middlesbrough 1 West Ham 2

West Ham will give a late fitness tests to James Collins and Luis Boa Morte who are both rated 50-50 for their trip to Middlesbrough.

MUTINOUS mutterings are sweeping Merseyside. Whisper it quietly, but Everton — so used to being downtrodden by brutish neighbours — have the scent of revolution thick in their nostrils.

West Ham 0 Everton 2

Nolberto Solano will return to the West Ham side against Everton after being cup-tied for the Carling Cup quarter-final defeat to the same opponents.

DEAN ASHTON provided the cutting edge that turned a scrappy game into three points for a West Ham side that has now lost just once in eight matches.

Blackburn 0 West Ham 1

Mark Noble is pushing for a return to the West Ham squad for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Blackburn after undergoing a hernia operation.

Chelsea 1 West Ham 0

Chelsea are looking to take advantage of their early kick-off clash with West Ham today by picking up the victory that would take them into second place in the Premier League behind Arsenal, for a few hours at least.

Striker Dean Ashton and midfielder Scott Parker are in contention to start for West Ham in tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

West Ham 1 Tottenham 1

OPTIMISTS are in precious short supply in Derby, but Billy Davies found comfort from an unexpected source after his team’s latest capitulation.

Derby 0 West Ham 5

West Ham will once again be without Mark Noble for the Barclays Premier League match at Derby tomorrow.

West Ham 1 Bolton 1

Bolton boss Gary Megson had Gary Speed back in his starting XI for the Barclays Premier League clash against West Ham at Upton Park.

HARRY REDKNAPP has another three points, but only on his driving licence after West Ham’s Robert Green stirred the England goalkeeping debate by saving a stoppage-time penalty from Benjani Mwaruwari.

West Ham are once again without Scott Parker for their Barclays Premier League trip to Portsmouth tomorrow.