Ljungberg ready for Hammers return

Freddie Ljungberg is set to replace the cup-tied Nolberto Solano in the West Ham squad for tomorrow night’s Carling Cup quarter-final against Everton.

Henri Camara is also cup-tied while winger Matthew Etherington is touch and go after suffering a groin injury in Sunday’s 1-0 league win at Blackburn. Dean Ashton pressed his case for a return to the starting side by coming off the bench to score the match-winner.

Fellow striker Carlton Cole collected his fifth booking of the season against Blackburn but is available to play tomorrow.

Richard Wright has started in goal throughout West Ham’s Carling Cup campaign and manager Alan Curbishley must decide whether to stick by that policy or retain the in-form Robert Green between the sticks.

Provisional squad: Green, Wright, McCarthy, Gabbidon, Upson, Collins, Neill, Spector, Etherington, Boa Morte, Parker, Mullins, Noble, Ljungberg, Cole, Ashton.