Three changes for Newcastle

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder has made three changes on his return to West Ham, the club parted company with him three years ago when he needed brain surgery.

Titus Bramble, Antoine Sibierski and Charles N’Zogbia had started on Thursday in the 1-0 UEFA Cup win in Estonia over Levadia Tallinn but are replaced by Celestine Babayaro, James Milner and Shola Ameobi.

West Ham had also been in UEFA Cup action that night, losing 1-0 at home to Palermo, but manager Alan Pardew has resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes, with Matthew Etherington coming in for Yossi Benayoun as the only adjustment.

That means first Premiership starts for new Argentina international signings Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.

West Ham: Carroll, Mears, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Konchesky, Bowyer, Mascherano, Reo-Coker, Etherington, Tevez, Zamora.

Subs: Green, Harewood, Cole, Benayoun, Mullins.

Newcastle: Given, Carr, Moore, Ramage, Babayaro, Milner, Parker, Emre, Duff, Martins, Ameobi.

Subs: Harper, N’Zogbia, Rossi, Sibierski, Butt.

Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).