Ashton Hammer blow

West Ham will be without Dean Ashton for tomorrow’s visit of Newcastle in the Barclays Premier League after the striker suffered an ankle injury in training earlier in the week.

Fellow forward Craig Bellamy is a doubt ahead of Gianfranco Zola’s debut in English management because of a hamstring and groin problem.

Midfielder Kieron Dyer remains on the comeback trail following the broken leg he suffered last season.

Provisional squad: Green, Neill, Davenport, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Faubert, Parker, Noble, Boa Morte, Etherington, Di Michele, Cole, Lastuvka, Mullins, Tomkins, Reid, Sears, Bellamy.