TEAMtalk

West Ham v Brighton preview

Friday 13-April-2012 09:27

West Ham will check on George McCartney ahead of the visit of Brighton.

The on-loan Sunderland defender suffered mild concussion in a clash of heads during Monday's 3-3 draw with Birmingham.

McCartney was replaced by Danny Collins, who is likely to start at left-back if the Irishman misses out.

The Hammers could therefore be without both of their first-choice full-backs as right-back Joey O'Brien has been struggling with a thigh injury and missed out against Birmingham.

On-loan Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury could be handed a rare start after his introduction as a half-time substitute helped the Hammers come from 3-1 down to pick up an unlikely point.

Guy Demel and Papa Bouba Diop could return to the squad after being rested, having only just returned from long lay-offs.

Liam Bridcutt returns to the Brighton squad after sitting out the last two matches through suspension.

Brighton lost both those games so Bridcutt has a good chance of an instant recall.

Craig Noone will be checked over having missed Tuesday's defeat by Reading to rest a hamstring problem, while full-back Joe Mattock is back in training after an injury ruled him out in midweek.

Defender Tommy Elphick is the only long-term absentee with an Achilles injury.

Gary Dicker will hope to keep his place having made two appearances since recovering from the broken leg he suffered against the Hammers in October.