Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has reported two key injuries as he plans for the arrival of the Hammers at the weekend.
He will be without on-loan Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma (hamstring injury) and Bruno Martins Indi who has been sidelined with a groin-strain following a challenge with Swansea striker Wilfried Bony.
It was hoped that the defender could have featured over the busy festive period but Hughes has ruled him out of that.
Hughes was bitterly disappointed by the Zouma problem as the two teams clash in a game which sees them separated by just two points.
Hughes reported: “Unfortunately, Kurt won’t be available this weekend, which is of course a disappointment for us.”
Meanwhile, the Hammers have a fully fit squad with the exception of Jose Fonte and Sam Byram although there remains a minor doubt of Cheik Kouyate’s involvement as he is still slightly doubtful with a hamstring issue.