Cole partners Ashton up front for Hammers

Striker Carlton Cole returned from suspension to partner Dean Ashton up front as West Ham manager Alan Curbishley made just one change from last weekend’s 2-1 win at Middlesbrough.

Jonathan Spector continued at the heart of West Ham’s defence with James Collins and Danny Gabbidon out injured – but Anton Ferdinand returned to the bench after two months out with a hamstring problem.

Reading, unbeaten in four games but chasing their first away win of the season, were unchanged from their home 2-1 victory win over Sunderland.

West Ham: Green, Neill, Spector, Upson, McCartney, Solano, Parker, Mullins, Ljungberg, Cole, Ashton.

Subs: Wright, Ferdinand, Pantsil, Noble, Camara.

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Gunnarsson, Shorey, Hunt, Harper, Ingimarsson, Convey, Doyle, Kitson.

Subs: Federici, Cisse, Lita, Bikey, Long.

Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)