Boro will be hoping to shake-off the critics against West Ham tomorrow after their unconvincing one nil win over the Grasshoppers on Thursday.
Alan Pardew’s men are currently lying one place above Boro in the league and will be looking to get back to winning form since last Saturday’s 2 – 1 defeat to Man City.
But McClaren has a different plan and no UEFA hangover excuses will be acceptable this time as the squad welcomes back both Fabio Rochemback and Ugo Ehiogu.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni is also expected to start at Upton Park following his ten minute run about on Wednesday.
But match-winner Jimmy Floyd Hasselbanik looks like he’ll be joining Stewart Downing, Ray Parlour and Tony McMahon on the physio’s table after injuring his ankle in the dieing minutes.
Boro aren’t the only ones with injuries, Hammers keeper Roy Carroll is set to be out for at least three games with a knee injury sustained in a freak training ground incident.
Taking his place for only the second time this season, Shaka Hislop.
West Ham will also be missing Tomas Repka, Jerenie Aliadiere and Mark Noble as well as veteran striker Teddy Sheringham who is expected to be rested.
Hammers men to watch: top goal scorer on four Marlon Harewood and midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.
Previous results:
2003 | Mon 21 Apr | West Ham Utd. | 1 - 0 | PREM | |
2002/2003 | Sat 07 Dec | 2 - 2 | West Ham Utd. | PREM | |
2001/2002 | Sat 23 Feb | West Ham Utd. | 1 - 0 | PREM | |
2001/2002 | Sat 15 Sep | 2 - 0 | West Ham Utd. | PREM | |
2000/2001 | Sat 19 May | 2 - 1 | West Ham Utd. | PREM | |
2000/2001 | Sat 02 Dec | West Ham Utd. | 1 - 0 | PREM | |
1999/2000 | Sat 29 Apr | West Ham Utd. | 0 - 1 |