West Ham Internationals Return

Alan Curbishley has welcomed back the West Ham players who have been away on international duty,

"I think they've all come through fine, we've had no calls to say otherwise," said Curbs. "The Welsh boys don't land until five o'clock tonight so we'll see them tomorrow.

"In some respects you fear the international break a bit, but all our players have come through it well. It wouldn't be such a bad idea if we played on the Sunday after internationals, rather than the Saturday, but I'm sure a few traditionalists would have something to say about that!

"We've had Jonathan Spector playing in Chicago, Nolberto Solano out in Bolivia and Lucas Neill playing in Australia. To then come back and play on Saturday is a big ask.

"The break has given other players an opportunity to regain fitness and focus on training. Dean Ashton has played two reserve games since Reading, Scott Parker has had 80 minutes for the reserves and Freddie Ljungberg is back in full training, so we're clearing up a bit."

"Craig had a great night with Wales. He desperately wanted to play for them after missing out on Saturday. He wants to play all the time. We were going to rest him for the Bristol Rovers game but he wanted to play. He is always raring to go."