Hammers start with Cole on the bench

Barclays Premier League strugglers West Ham made four changes for the visit of high-flying Manchester City.

Julien Faubert came in at right-back, while wingers Pablo Barrera and Junior Stanislas came in for Kieron Dyer and Luis Boa Morte, and Carlton Cole dropped back to the bench as Frederic Piquionne led the attack.

With Wolves not in action until tomorrow, a point would take West Ham off the bottom, while victory for City would move them level on points with leaders Arsenal.

City top scorer Carlos Tevez missed out against his old club through suspension, while Aleksandar Kolarov was also banned after his sending-off in the 1-0 win over Bolton.

Jerome Boateng came into defence, while Brazilian Jo partnered Mario Balotelli in attack.

West Ham: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ben-Haim, Barrera, Spector, Parker, Stanislas, Piquionne, Obinna.

Subs: Stech, Reid, Dyer, Cole, Boa Morte, Kovac, Hines.

Man City: Hart, Boateng, Toure, Kompany, Zabaleta, De Jong, Barry, Jo, Toure Yaya, Silva, Balotelli.

Subs: Given, Richards, Milner, Adam Johnson, Santa Cruz, Lescott, Vieira.

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)