Derby County v West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 10 November
Kick-off 3pm
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne and Wear)
WHUTV - Live audio coverage along with behind the scenes coverage in the run-up to the game including Alan Curbishley's pre-match press conference. WHUTV also has all the highlights from this season's action, including last weekend's 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers. Check out the action as well from the midweek reserve-team fixture as well to see who might be coming through.
Team news
Alan Curbishley's side are looking to make it five games unbeaten in all competitions against the Premier League's bottom club. James Collins, Freddie Ljungberg and Dean Ashton are all back in training this week but it may be too soon for all three to return. Mark Noble is ruled out after a hernia operation but Nigel Quashie came through another reserve match in midweek and could be in contention.
Hogan Ephraim's loan spell at Queen's Park Rangers has come to an end, while youngsters like James Tomkins, Jack Collison and Kyel Reid have all made great strides in recent weeks with the latter most likely to be involved. Craig Bellamy was rested this week and, along with fellow forward Ashton, will have high hopes of returning for the visit of Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 25 November.
Derby, who lost 2-0 at Aston Villa last Saturday, are hopeful of having Kenny Miller fit after his recovery from a hamstring injury. The Scotland striker having trained again this week and manager Billy Davies has rated him "touch and go". The Rams are without Andy Todd (back) while fellow defender Claude Davis is doubtful with a muscle problem.
Derby goalkeeper Stephen Bywater served West Ham United for eight years between 1998 and 2006, making a total of 59 appearances. Now 26, he played 39 league and cup games in 2004/05, culminating in his substitute's appearance at the Millennium Stadium as the club secured a top-flight return. Bywater established himself as the No1 at Derby in his first season, repeating the promotion trick. Full-back Tyrone Mears spent last season at the Boleyn Ground, playing five league matches.
Background
West Ham United will know the advantage of scoring first as the club have not lost in any of the seven matches, in all competitions, where they broken the deadlock. Not one overseas player has scored in the club's 13 league strikes this season. George McCartney, the Northern Ireland full-back who scored in last week's 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers has, along with Robert Green and Matthew Upson, featured in every one of the eleven Premier League fixtures - although only Green and Upson have played every minute.
For the second time this season, West Ham United are involved in the only 3pm fixture on a Saturday. Victory would move the club into the top half of the table and within striking distance of the top eight. The match is the last one before the international break, with the club returning to action at 1.30pm on Sunday 25 November against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur .
Derby have failed to beat West Ham United in the last six matches between the teams at Pride Park, with the visitors only conceding twice in that run of two wins and four draws. This season Derby, have not scored more than two goals in a game since 11 August and have only one victory to their name. Bywater and Stephen Pearson have played every minute for the Rams.
Last six league meetings
23 January 2005 - West Ham United 1-2 Derby County
29 September 2004 - Derby County 1-1 West Ham United
10 April 2004 - West Ham United 0-0 Derby Country
4 October 2003 - Derby County 0-1 West Ham United
26 December 2001 - West Ham United 4-0 Derby County
8 September 2001 - Derby County 0-0 West Ham United
Club information
Tickets: This match is now SOLD OUT. For more information on ticketing, click here. For more information on how to get to Pride Park, click here
Weather: The forecast for Saturday is for an overcast day, with some rain expected. Temperatures are expected to reach around 11C.