Carroll named in Hammers line-up

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce named new signing Andy Carroll in his starting line-up for the Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham.

Carroll, signed on a season-long loan from Liverpool, replaced Modibo Maiga as the Hammers’ main striker despite the Mali international’s goal in midweek against Crewe.

Fulham’s new big-name striker Dimitar Berbatov was named among the substitutes by manager Martin Jol.

Fellow new recruit Kieran Richardson was handed his debut against one of his former clubs while John Arne Riise returned from a muscle injury.

Mladen Petric recovered from his knock in midweek to partner Hugo Rodallega in attack although Bryan Ruiz missed out due to a hamstring problem.

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Reid, Collins, O’Brien, Diame, Noble, Nolan, Taylor, Vaz Te, Carroll. Subs: Henderson, Tomkins, Cole, Maiga, Diarra, O’Neil, Hall.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise, Duff, Sidwell, Diarra, Richardson, Rodallega, Petric. Subs: Stockdale, Kelly, Baird, Kasami, Berbatov, Briggs, Kacaniklic.

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)