Curbishley concern over Zamora

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley admits Bobby Zamora’s knee injury has become a concern.

As Craig Bellamy has still not fully recovered from a hamstring injury and Dean Ashton has only just made his comeback from a year out rebuilding a broken ankle, Curbishley would have been sure to give Zamora a run-out in the Carling Cup at home to Plymouth tonight.

Instead it remains unclear when the former Spurs front-man will be able to resume a season that was put on hold following the 2-1 victory at Bristol Rovers in the previous round at the end of August.

Curbishley said: “We started the season with Zamora and Bellamy and on Sunday it was Ashton and Carlton Cole. It’s just the way things go. Since the Bristol Rovers game Bobby’s knee keeps swelling up. It’s not the same problem he was struggling with last season but we have tried one or two things and it hasn’t quite happened so we will have to re-assess that now.

“He has been out for three weeks and he is still not training. If Craig doesn’t make it we have only two recognised senior strikers. We could bring in youngsters if we wanted but I can also play Freddie Ljungberg or Luis Boa Morte up there. We can cope.”

Midfielder Scott Parker could be granted his long-awaited debut, which was put on hold by a knee injury sustained not long after his £7million switch from Newcastle in June.

But fellow ex-St James’ Park favourite Nolberto Solano and on-loan striker Henri Camara, who arrived on transfer deadline day last month, will play no part as they are both cup-tied.

Summer signing Richard Wright will replace Robert Green in goal and Danny Gabbidon is expected to reclaim one of the central defensive berths for the visit of Ian Holloway’s side.

Curbishley praised Holloway for his work at QPR and Plymouth.

He said: “I know Ian quite well. He is someone who can lift a club when he goes in there. He did a terrific job at QPR and Plymouth have the opportunity to be a big club with their fan base. They always threaten to get in and around those play-off places and I’m sure that will be their aim this season.

“Plymouth are a steady side and they will bring a lot of fans so the atmosphere should be good.

“It’s game on for us. Plymouth can come and enjoy it somewhat but we have had them watched and we know we will have a game on our hands.”