Preview: Middlesbrough v West Ham

West Ham's 2-0 loss at Old Trafford on Wednesday was their fifth defeat in six away games in all competitions this season, and their fourth loss on the trot.

Boro, meanwhile, enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 win over Manchester City in midweek.

The Irons have only won once in 10 visits to the Riverside, that coming last season when Scott Parker scored a last-minute winner.

To make matters worse for Zola he looks to be suffering from the injury curse that blighted much of his predecessor Alan Curbishley's reign.

Valon Behrami picked up a calf injury at Manchester United and looks set to be ruled out for a month, while Mark Noble, Dean Ashton and Danny Gabbison are ruled out.

Scott Parker is a doubt with a calf problem.

Carlton Cole misses out as he serves the second of a three match ban for his red card against Arsenal last Sunday.

Skipper Lucas Neill could feature after recovering from a virus, while James Tomkins is available following a knee injury.

West Ham (from): Green, Lastuvka, Walker, Davenport, Upson, Collins, Lopez, Faubert, Bowyer, Mullins, Collison, Etherington, Boa Morte, Sears, Di Michele, Bellamy, Tristan, Neill, Tomkins, Ilunga, Parker.

Date: Saturday, November 1

Kick-off: 3pm.

Venue: Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough

Referee: Andre Marriner