Davenport to debut for Hammers

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley will hand new signing Calum Davenport a debut as his side go in search of three Premiership points at Newcastle today.

The defender’s inclusion is one of three changes, the injured Danny Gabbidon, James Collins and Carlos Tevez making way for Davenport, Anton Ferdinand and Marlon Harewood.

Magpies manager Glenn Roeder is again left plugging gaps despite the return from injury of skipper Scott Parker and, for the first time since November 11, Stephen Carr.

Carr replaced the suspended Steven Taylor, while Alan O’Brien is handed a first senior start at the expense of Matty Pattison and Parker takes over from Antoine Sibierski, who is ruled out by concussion.

Newcastle: Given, Solano, Ramage, Huntington, Carr, Milner, Butt, Parker, O’Brien, Dyer, Martins.

Subs: Harper, Luque, Edgar, Pattison, Carroll.

West Ham: Carroll, Dailly, Ferdinand, Davenport, McCartney, Benayoun, Quashie, Reo-Coker, Boa Morte, Harewood, Cole.

Subs: Green, Sheringham, Etherington, Mullins, Spector.

Referee: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).