Football: Pearce back for depleted Hammers

Stuart Pearce returns from suspension to add some much needed steel to the West Ham defence for their visit to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round tie.

That is one bright spot for manager Harry Redknapp whose squad has been decimated by injuries and international call ups.

Titi Camara and Rigobert Song are away with Cameroon, while Steve Lomas, Igor Stimac and Trevor Sinclair will miss the game with long-term injuries.

West Ham: Hislop, Dailly, Schemmel, Tihinen, Soma, Pearce, Winterburn, Lampard, Carrick, Cole, Di Canio, Kanoute, Moncur, Bassila, Potts, Forrest.