Hammers set to be without talisman Parker

Scott Parker is set to miss West Ham’s vital Premier League clash at Manchester City on Sunday.

The England international is still struggling with an Achilles injury and is almost certain to miss the trip to Eastlands, according to manager Avram Grant.

Parker will be joined on the sidelines by fellow midfielders Mark Noble and Gary O’Neil, who are out with hernia and ankle injuries respectively.

Wayne Bridge is ineligible to feature against his parent club, but the Hammers defence will be boosted by the return of Matthew Upson from a chest infection.

Provisional squad: Green, Jacobsen, Tomkins, Upson, Hitzlsperger, Piquionne, Spector, Ba, Cole, Boffin, Reid, Da Costa, Boa Morte, Obinna, Collison, Keane.