Preview: West Ham v Fulham

The good news for the Hammers, who have only taken four points from their opening six Premier League games, is skipper Matthew Upson is set to return after recovering from a calf strain picked up in the defeat by Liverpool two weeks ago.

The England centre-back should partner James Tomkins as the Irons look to tighten up at the back.

But new signing Guillermo Franco is still not fit enough to be included in the matchday squad and misses out, as does Jack Collison, who is still recovering from injury.

Zola expects his side to produce a better performance in front of their home fans than they managed in Manchester on Monday, and with Fulham as hungry for points as the Hammers it won't be an easy game.

He said: "I have told the team what I thought and I am expecting a very good reaction against Fulham.

"This is a testing period for us and from the results so far, we obviously don't like easy starts.

"We are pushing hard though. We just need a couple of results and things can change, starting on Sunday."

Fulham were in action last night when they won 1-0 against FC Basel in a UEFA Europa League tie at Craven Cottage and West Ham will hope the game will have taken its toll on the west London club.

The Cottagers are likely to feature ex-Hammers Paul Konchesky, John Pantsil and Bobby Zamora and West Ham fans will be keeping their fingers crossed the curse of the former player doesn't strike again after Carlos Tevez's brace against them on Monday.

West Ham (from): Green, Kurucz, Spector, Ilunga, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Da Costa, Daprela, Noble, Parker, N'Gala, Gabbidon, Dyer, Kovac, Jiminez, Behrami, Payne, Stanislas, Cole, Diamanti, Nouble, Hines.

Venue: Boleyn Ground

Date: Sunday, October 4

Kick-off: 3pm

Referee: Phil Dowd

Travel: The District line is suspended between Barking and Upminster, and the Hammersmith and City lines shut between Plaistow and Barking. The Jubilee line is closed all weekend.

A rail replacement bus service will operate on all lines affected.