International Duty

West Ham players seem to be suffering from a number of niggling injuries and it seems most of them won't be reporting for international duty this week.

Anton Ferdinand and Nigel Reo-Coker are both unavailable for England U-21's match against Holland tonight (live on Sky Sports).

James Collins has pulled out of the Welsh squad after he suffered a torn abductor muscle in the final minute of West Ham's 1-0 defeat on Saturday and could be out for several weeks. Danny Gabbidon could also pull out of the Wales squad because of a knee problem that has been troubling him for several weeks.

Benayoun however seems to be determined to play for his country. An MRI scan has revealed that Benayoun is suffering from a partial cruciate ligament tear but Benayoun has insisted he will still play for Israel.

"Despite the injury and the pain I want to play, even if that means I will have to rest for a long time afterwards," Benayoun has been reported to have told the Israeli media.

This is an important game for Israel, either Israel or Croatia have the chance to go three points clear at the top of England's group if they win this game. However Benayoun will obviously anger Pardew if he is unavailable for West Ham's game against Chelsea this weekend.