Sam’s Stevenage pledge

Thirteen hundred plus Hammers fans will be inside the Lamex Stadium when the first team squad swing into action for the first pre-season friendly against Stevenage today.

Our allocation of tickets was taken up quickly and the fans are set to see all the lads in action over the two halves.

Manager Sam Allarcyce has pledged to take all his big name players for the game but has warned them all not to take unnecessary risks.

He told www.whufc.com: “The full first-team squad will be out in force, there is no doubt about that

“We’ll make sure we give the players a maximum 45 minutes each with the warning that ‘If you feel anything go tight or any knocks or anything of that nature, there is no need to be brave and carry on.

West Ham’s four summer signings – Mauro Zarate, Cheikhou Kouyate, Aaron Cresswell and Diego Poyet – are all expected to make their first appearances in a Hammers shirt.