Injury Blow for Paintsil

John Paintsil is a doubt for West Ham's home UEFA tie against Palermo, after damaging knee ligaments in the Liverpool game. It looks like Paintsil will miss the home game against Villa a week on Sunday and will have to wait and see if he recovers for the UEFA game four days later. Pardew said today,

"It's a big blow to us because we've just got John settled in really well. He will be out for a bit. He has come into the team and has made a really good impression, not only for me, but everyone.

He has played his part in our good start to the season and it's another knock for us, especially following the injuries to Deano (Ashton) and the likes of Matty Etherington before the campaign started."