Duo ready to shape title destiny

THIS weekend, they were just mild-mannered mediocrities going about their day jobs. But in a few days, and without having to wear their underpants on the outside, West Ham and Newcastle will be transformed into the men with the destiny of the Premier League title in their hands.

These two teams just happen to be Manchester United and Chelsea’s next opponents, with the Hammers due at Old Trafford on Saturday and Chelsea at St James’ Park a potentially agonising two days afterwards.

West Ham famously won at Old Trafford on the last day of last season to stay up but this time they will only have 10th place to protect, and an injury list that has dogged them all season extends to Freddie Ljungberg, who suffered a cracked rib after colliding with Steven Taylor.