Royle appointment could see Hammers hit top form

West Ham could go top of the Championship tomorrow if they beat promotion rivals Ipswich.

Joe Royle's team lost to a stunning Matthew Etherington goal on their last visit in the play-off semi-finals last season and West Ham manager Alan Pardew said: "They may be a little more conservative this time.

"They will still try to pass the ball around, though, and it should be a different game to the one against Rotherham on Tuesday night."

Before that game, Pardew asked for the Upton Park crowd to be patient and he said: "They responded well. We're hoping for around 30,000 tomorrow and we need them right behind us."

West Ham have won five of their last six matches and Pardew said: "We need to keep that run going. The new players here have stiffened the competition for places and that it what we want."

Etherington again scored the winner on Tuesday and Pardew said: "He's not yet quite at the standard he showed last season but he's still playing well. The challenge for him is to improve upon last season."

West Ham have no new injury problems and striker Bobby Zamora (knee) could be added to the squad.

Northern Ireland international Steve Lomas, available after suspension, is unlikely to feature.