Herita Ilunga, Jack Collison and James Tomkins will miss West Ham's visit of Stoke on Saturday, but Manuel da Costa could return.

Ilunga has a tendon injury, while Collison and Tomkins are still missing due to respective ankle and knee problems for the game against the Potters at Upton Park. However Da Costa will hope to return to the starting XI in place of Tomkins after completing a three-match suspension, but Danny Gabbidon will look to beat him to a call-up after shaking off a hamstring problem.

Jordan Spence and Kieron Dyer are also waiting in the wings to feature in Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola's team plans, but Luis Boa Morte and Zavon Hines remain sidelined with long-term knee injuries.

Zola goes into the game knowing that three points are vital following a run of five successive Premier League defeats - the club's worst run since he took charge.

"This game is massive, we need to win for everyone here. But I will prepare in the same way I do for all the others," he said.

"My attention will be on the players to give them what they need. That is all I have ever tried to do at this club.

"The situation has to get back to normality and three points will help. Have I ever been under more pressure as manager? No. But there is always pressure."