Upson and Parker back for Hammers

Matthew Upson and Scott Parker both returned to Avram Grant’s starting XI as the West Ham boss looked to ease the pressure on his shoulders with a win against Birmingham in tonight’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg.

Frederic Piquionne and Freddie Sears were the other two changes to the Hammers team that beat Barnsley on Saturday as Carlton Cole had to settle for a place on the bench.

Matt Derbyshire’s double against Millwall was not enough for him to keep his place in the Birmingham team as Cameron Jerome returned to lead the line in a Blues side that contained eight changes from Saturday’s win at the New Den.

Ben Foster replaced Maik Taylor in goal, Barry Ferguson came into midfield and Sebastian Larsson started on the right despite being given permission to speak to Newcastle about a transfer yesterday.

West Ham: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Reid, Upson, Spector, Sears, Noble, Parker, Obinna, Piquionne. Subs: Boffin, Cole, Boa Morte, Kovac, Nouble, Hines, Spence.

Birmingham: Foster, Carr, Dann, Johnson, Ridgewell, Larsson, Gardner, Hleb, Ferguson, Fahey, Jerome. Subs: Taylor, Murphy, Derbyshire, Zigic, Beausejour, Mutch, Jiranek.

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)