West Ham vs Wolverhampton preview - Wolves still ravaged by injuries - 7M sport

West Ham vs Wolverhampton preview - Wolves still ravaged by injuries



I have a say

Posted Saturday, January 01, 2011 by PA

Wolves are still missing a number of key players ahead of their match against West Ham.

Kevin Doyle (thigh) and Jody Craddock (hip and thigh) will miss the game, but have started training.

Karl Henry and Michael Mancienne (both knee) are still out, as is Steven Mouyokolo (back).

Michael Kightly (knee) and Adlene Guedioura (leg) are long term absentees.

Avram Grant is still fuming over West Ham's disallowed winner at Wolves the last time the sides met.

The Hammers were denied all three points in October's 1-1 draw at Molineux when referee Mark Clattenburg penalised Frederic Piquionne for handball after the striker netted in the dying seconds.

Television replays appeared to show the goal should have stood and Grant has not forgotten the incident that has ultimately cost his side dear, with rock-bottom West Ham currently a point behind Wolves having played a game more than all of their relegation rivals.

The Hammers boss said: "I think they owe us something because we scored against them a goal that was disallowed in the last moment.

"Wolves would be behind us but for the decision of the referee.

"It was one of our best games, at Wolves."

Defeat is unthinkable for a West Ham side who could find themselves cut four points adrift if they lose and other results go against them.

Co-owner David Gold this week insisted being beaten by Wolves would not spell the end of Grant's six-month reign but it would certainly crank up the pressure which has eased during the Hammers' current three-match unbeaten run.

Grant is refusing to contemplate the consequences of defeat as he tries to become only the second manager to mastermind the survival of a Premier League club that has been bottom on Christmas Day.

Asked if the game was one of the biggest of his career, he said: "I don't think like this.

"I think all the games are big games. You remember three months ago, you also said to me, 'This is the biggest game, this is the biggest game'.

"As long as we're in this place, we can say it will be a big game.

"Any result against Wolves, the game against Newcastle will again be a big game."

He added: "I think we are on the right track.

"The last three games, we've seen a lot of improvement in the way we've taken points and it's good.

"But we need to win on Saturday against a team that is a very good team.

"I don't think there are any weak teams in this league.

"It is maybe the first year there is not one weak team in the league."

Valon Behrami could return after a month out with a hip injury.

Danny Gabbidon and Tal Ben Haim are back after being rested for Tuesday's draw with Everton, but the game may come too soon for Mark Noble (hip), who is back in training, while Kieron Dyer (thigh), Benni McCarthy (calf), Lars Jacobsen (heel) and Herita Ilunga are all still out.

Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh), Jack Collison (knee) and Manuel da Costa (ankle) are sidelined until at least February, while Peter Kurucz (knee) is out for the season.



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