Ashton ruled out for Hammers

West Ham have been dealt a blow ahead of today’s Premier League clash at Manchester City after striker Dean Ashton was ruled out due to a back injury.

The 24-year-old, who has scored six goals this season, has been dogged by injuries during the past 18 months and his place in attack is to be taken by Carlton Cole.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley also brings in Hayden Mullins for knee-injury victim Matt Etherington in the visitors’ midfield in the other change to the side which exited the FA Cup at Eastlands on Wednesday.

City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson makes just the one change to the side which triumphed 1-0 four days earlier as Rolando Bianchi replaces Nery Castillo, who sustained a shoulder injury in midweek.

Man City: Hart, Corluka, Dunne, Richards, Ball, Vassell, Hamann, Ireland, Petrov, Elano, Bianchi.

Subs: Isaksson, Onuoha, Geovanni, Garrido, Gelson.

West Ham: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Ljungberg, Noble, Mullins, Bowyer, Boa Morte, Cole.

Subs: Wright, Spector, Collins, Faubert, Reid.

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).