Parker set for Hammers return against Villa

November 4, 2009

Scott Parker is set to return for West Ham against Aston Villa in Wednesday’s Premier League match after serving a one-game ban.

The Hammers captain is expected to be back in a midfield that will definitely be without Radoslav Kovac, suspended after being sent-off in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Sunderland.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has no fresh injury worries but the Italian remains without Kieron Dyer (hamstring), Dean Ashton (ankle) and Luis Boa Morte (knee).

The London club have not won in the Premier League since the opening day of the season, when they beat Wolves, and a heavy defeat on Wednesday could send them below current basement side Portsmouth at the foot of the table.

“We are going to give the fans our first home win (in the league this season),” said Hammers assistant manager Steve Clarke on Tuesday.

“We are gong to give them the win they want. They have a good memory of the finish of the Arsenal game where we finished strongly (to draw 2-2 from 2-0 down).

“They are going to take us into those two matches and they are going to push us to the win that we need. It’s important we get a win sooner rather than later so tomorrow (Wednesday) night is a terrific chance for us.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: arsenal, boa morte, dean, dean ashton, game ban, injury worries, kovac, london, london club, Luis Boa, midfield, opening day, Parker, Portsmouth, premier league, Radoslav Kovac, scott parker, steve clarke, Sunderland, wednesday night, west ham, wolves, Zola

Pepe called up for Portugal

May 30, 2009

Portugal manager Carlos Quieroz has included Real Madrid defender Pepe in his selection for the upcoming World Cup qualifier with Albania.

The moves comes as a surprise as Pepe received a ten-match ban for lashing out at an opponent in Real Madrid’s league game with Getafe in April. The suspension will carry over into next season.

Also worth noting is the return of West Ham United winger Luis Boa Morte, who hadn’t been called up since August 2006. The only newcomer in the squad is Deportivo la Coruña defender Jose Castro.

Portugal need a victory over Albania on June 6, if they want to keep a chance of making it to next year’s finals. Four days later, Quieroz and his men face Estonia in a friendly.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda