Hammers' Gabbidon still out

With Danny Gabbidon still out because of a knee injury, James Collins continued to partner Anton Ferdinand in the West Ham defence against Newcastle at Upton Park.

Hammers manager Alan Pardew also opted to select Carl Fletcher ahead of Mark Noble in midfield with the in-form Bobby Zamora alongside Marlon Harewood in attack.

England striker Michael Owen partnered Alan Shearer in attack for Newcastle with Shola Ameobi asked to play in a midfield role.

United’s reserve team captain Kris Gate settled for a place on the substitutes’ bench as kick-off was delayed for 30 minutes due to a road traffic accident in east London.

West Ham: Carroll, Repka, Ferdinand, Collins, Konchesky, Benayoun, Fletcher, Mullins, Etherington, Harewood, Zamora. Subs: Dailly, Bellion, Newton, Hislop, Aliadiere.

Newcastle: Given, Ramage, Boumsong, Bramble, Elliott, Solano, Faye, Parker, Ameobi, Shearer, Owen. Subs: Harper, Bowyer, Luque, Chopra, Gate.

Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire)