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Don Hutchison was stretchered off against Middlesbrough, and Steve Lomas limped off towards the end, joining Michael Carrick on the club's midfield injury list, and adding to Glenn Roeder's woes. It is lucky therefore that this weekend Trevor Sinclair returns from suspension and illness to line up for the Hammers.
Seb Schemmel, a strong contender for Hammer of the Season following his consistent, impressive and enthusiastic displays, also returns to the side. With the midfield somewhat depleted, he may find himself put in the right wing back spot as Glenn tries to accomodate Ian Pearce, Christian Dailly and Tomas Repka in defence.
With Nige Winterburn covering the left wing back spot, a midfield three of Joe Cole, Trevor Sinclair and Labant looks likely, although Aussie Richard Garcia could claim the third midfield spot instead of Vladimir Labant.
Up front is about the only position where competition is rife, with the return of Paolo di Canio leaving Glenn with the difficult decision of who to leave out: Kanoute, Defoe or di Canio? Most people's money would be on Jermain Defoe, the most junior of the three, and still being bled into the side.
A win could see the Hammers move up the table nearing European contention, with eighth place a possibility - only one point behind the opposition. If our away form can be sorted sooner rather than later - European involvement remains a possibility for next season. If not however, mid-table obscurity is about the best we can hope for.