Sam Allardyce is set to give first starts of the season to a number of fringe players when West Ham take on Aldershot Town at the Boleyn tonight.
With several players who took part in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Leeds likely to be rested ahead of next weekend's trip to Nottingham Forest, some of the club's young players and new signings are set to be drafted in for the Carling Cup first round tie.Ruud Boffin, the club's number two goalkeeper could make his first start of the season in place of Robert Green, whilst George McCartney - Allardyce's most recent signing - is in line to make the first start of his second spell at the club.
Freddie Sears and Junior Stanislas - who continues to be linked with a move to Burnley - are both in contention, as is Mexican winger Pablo Barrera whose own immediate future also remains shrouded in uncertaintly.
Meanwhile John Carew (pictured) - who made a brief cameo against Leeds at the weekend - is set to make his first start since signing for West Ham a fortnight ago.
The extra spaces available on the bench - the Carling Cup retains the seven subs rule this season - means that a number of Academy starlets, such as George Moncur and Robert Hall - both of who figured briefly for the first team in pre-season - could well make the 18-man squad.
However one player unlikely to start is centre half Abdoulaye Faye, who is still recovering from his recent injury - as is young left back Jordan Brown, who has only recently returned to training.
Also on the injury list are long term absentees Gary O'Neil and goalkeeper Peter Kurucz, who is still another couple of months away from a return to action following summer surgery.
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