Danny Gabbidon could make a surprise return for West Ham at Chelsea on Saturday, as Gianfranco Zola looks to take young defender James Tomkins out of the firing line.
England Under-21 international Tomkins endured a nightmare afternoon in the 2-1 defeat by Bolton at the weekend and Zola is considering resting him.
Wales international Gabbidon, who has been plagued by injury for the last two seasons, last played against Chelsea just before Christmas but is back in full training.
Zola's other central defensive option, Manuel Da Costa, is suspended, while Zola will also be without full-back Julien Faubert, who has a hamstring injury.
Tomkins was at fault for both Bolton goals in the
first half and Zola said: "He will have to work a lot, he knows that. It wasn't James's best game."
Jack Collison should be back in contention for the game with Chelsea, while Mark Noble, who fractured a bone in his arm against Manchester United, could soon return with a lightweight protective cast.
