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Ahead of this lunch time's Barclays Premier League fixture against relegation threatened Sunderland, West Ham manager Slaven Billic has a couple of pleasant selection head aches. Primarily who does he play at right back, Sam Byram who is now available having been cup tied, or retain Mikael Antonio who performed so well against Blackburn in the 5-1 FA Cup victory? Billic also has to decide whether to give Emmanuel Emenike his first EPL start, or start the incredibly fragile Andy Carroll, as Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho are both unavailable through injury.

To read some of the comments trawled out about Sam Allardyce by his sycophantic pals in the media ahead of his Sunderland team's visit to the Boleyn Ground for this Saturday's early 12;45 kick off, one could be forgiven if one thought that Big Sam was a saviour who rode in and rescued a "club that was on it's knees" single handedly! There is no mention of the massive salary he received or the fact that he was backed financially by the board on numerous occasions for several dubious purchases.

As was widely expected Hammers have won their appeal against Cheikhou Kouyate's red card incorrectly issued by referee Jonathan Moss during their FA Cup fifth-round win at Blackburn. Kouyate, was sent off by Moss for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity when accidentally bringing down Rovers defender Adam Henley during West Ham's 5-1 win at Ewood Park. The decision and one match ban was overturned by an independent FA regulatory commission, which means the fit again and raring to go midfielder can now play against Sunderland on Saturday 12:45. - Ed