Irons likely team as Collins sounds warning

West Ham are expected to put out a strong side against FC Astra tonight as the Europa Cup clash tournament reaches a crucial stage.

The Hammers are determined to take a healthy lead to Romania for the second leg and are believed to be ready to hand ‘main man’ Dimitri Payet his Irons European debut.

The team is beieved to be likely to look something close to this: Adrian; Burke, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Noble, Oxford, Kouyate; Valencia, Payet; Zarate.

Meanwhile Collins has warned against the drty tricks brigade as tension grows before the game declaring: “These teams are coming to play us, looking at it as a cup final so will try anything they can to beat us.

“We have to be streetwise, deal with that and let our football do the talking. Some of the stuff that was going on the pitch was unbelievable.

“They spoke about doing it before the game and from minute one they have tried everything they could to get under our skin.”

While Sakho and Tomkins – both banned for Thursday night’s third qualifying round tie against Romanian’s Astra Giurgiu – have taken the bait and paid the price, Collins added: “It’s niggly and verbal but it’s quite enjoyable.

“You don’t see it week-in, week out in the Premier League so it’s a good eye-opener.