West Ham V Stoke - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.Valencia boost for HammersWest Ham will have Ecuador forward Enner Valencia available again following a toe injury for Saturday's Barclays Premier League game against Stoke at Upton Park.Defender James Tomkins has undergone shoulder surgery and hopes to be in contention again before the end of the season.Striker Andy Carroll (knee) remains sidelined, along with Canada defender Doneil Henry (hamstring).Boss Sam Allardyce has worked under scrutiny all season, having made a conscious effort to improve the team's attacking style.Earlier in the campaign, the Irons had climbed into the top four following a good run of form, only to dip again at the turn of the year when hit by a run of injuries to key men and picked up only 11 points.Co-owner David Sullivan this week made public his disappointment at that form, a situation which Allardyce accepts and is determined to put right, starting against Stoke at Upton Park on Saturday."The reality is there is a difference between the performances and the resultsHaving said that the bottom line is winning and getting results and we haven't done enough of that recently," he said."We're all disappointed in the last few results and I accept that."I have to emphasise results because we've come close to winning some major games of football
We have to look at the season as whole, not just a few games and I think overall it's been terrific, it's been very exciting."Allardyce accepts perhaps the Irons became somewhat victims of their own success earlier this season, which saw them beat the likes of Liverpool and then Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground.He added: "We are disappointed a little bit because we built up expectations by being in the top four and not managed to maintain that."However, realistically it would have been hard to maintain that over a season even before we had injury problems."Ecuador forward Enner Valencia is set to return to the squad after surgery on his big toe, needed when he stepped on a broken tea cup, so will boost the Irons' attacking options.Allardyce understands the need for a positive finish, with Stoke level on 42 points in the battle for a place in the top 10."We have to make sure we finish higher than we have ever done in the league and get more than 46 points," said the Hammers boss, whose side were beaten by bottom club Leicester last weekend."Looking at the table, the maximum we can finish is eighth, unless we go on a brilliant winning streak - which I think we are capable of, it is unlikely we can finish higher than that, so winning on Saturday becomes the all-important thing."Stoke defender Marc Wilson is available despite a broken hand.Wilson complained of a problem after last week's clash against Chelsea and scans have revealed a crack, but he will be able to play if wearing protection.Striker Jon Walters has had a knee problem but has been training and is also in contention.Boss Mark Hughes hopes his side can capitalise on West Ham's current plight."We are playing okay, the last two games certainly," Hughes said
"It's another difficult fixture, West Ham away isn't easy, it never is."Their form is indifferent and it's one of those places where if you can go and be positive in the early stages then you can create a little bit of anxiety in their crowd."They are very demanding and that can translate to their own team and affect them negatively
We will go there in good heart and look to take the game to them if we can."They are above us on goal difference and if we can get ahead of them then that will certainly help
It's an important fixture for both clubs
A positive result will keep us where we want to be."
Source : PA
Source: PA