Big Sam handed injury boost

Sam Allardyce has been handed a welcome injury boost ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Burnley.

The West Ham United manager is likely to have Hammer of the Year Mark Noble available for selection at Turf Moor after the midfielder returned to full training at Chadwell Heath on Monday.

Noble suffered a calf injury in training in the week leading up to the 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday 27 September, missing that game and the 2-0 home win over Queens Park Rangers, but could be set for a return at Burnley this weekend.

Guy Demel (thigh), James Collins (groin) and Ricardo Vaz Te (thigh) will be re-evaluated later this week and could also all be back in Big Sam's squad this weekend, while Carl Jenkinson (hamstring) is hoping to be fit after being withdrawn from England U21 duty as a precaution.

Midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate's rehabilitation is progressing well as he continues his comeback from a Grade 2 groin muscle injury, which he suffered in the 3-1 home win over Liverpool on 20 September. The usual recovery time for such an injury is six weeks, but the Senegal international hopes to be fit to return ahead of schedule.

Finally, Andy Carroll is working hard, progressing well and ahead of schedule as he continues his own recovery from ankle surgery in late July. The England centre forward is hoping to see some game time in November.