Sears struggling for Hammers

Teenage striker Freddie Sears is struggling to be fit for West Ham’s Barclays Premier League clash at Sunderland after suffering a groin injury.

But Bobby Zamora is expected to return to the Hammers squad after missing the 1-1 draw at Everton last weekend with blisters. Central defender Matthew Upson is still a doubt after missing the last three games – and England’s defeat to France – with a calf injury.

And with Danny Gabbidon (groin) and James Collins (knee) also sidelined, England Under-19 defender James Tomkins could continue at the back after making his West Ham debut at Goodison Park. Manager Alan Curbishley is still without Julien Faubert (calf), Craig Bellamy (stomach), Matthew Etherington and Lee Bowyer (both groin) while Kieron Dyer (broken leg) is out for the season.

Team (from): Green, Walker, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, Tomkins, Spector, McCartney, Pantsil, Solano, Parker, Mullins, Noble, Collison, Ljungberg, Boa Morte, Ashton, Zamora, Cole, Sears.