West Brom v West Ham preview: Hammers rocked by Carroll blow

Andy Carroll is set to miss the rest of the season with the West Ham United striker due to undergo surgery on Tuesday on a knee ligament injury. Adrian is available after having his appeal against his red card in Wednesday's goalless draw at Southampton upheld. Manager Sam Allardyce is still short of defenders as both Winston Reid and James Collins remain sidelined with hamstring problems, although captain Kevin Nolan is fit again following a foot injury and fellow midfielder Mark Noble is also available after missing the game at St Mary's through illness.

Chris Brunt will again skipper West Brom. Following his deadline day arrival from Manchester United, Fletcher took over the captain's armband from Brunt for Albion's two Barclays Premier League games over the past week. Striker Victor Anichebe is a doubt with a groin strain, whilst midfielder Callum McManaman may only figure on the bench after picking up a knock in midweek but goalkeeper Boaz Myhill may play after recently recovering from a finger injury and midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu is available after the African Nations Cup.

West Brom have won only four of their last 18 FA Cup matches against teams from the top two tiers of English football (W4 D7 L7).

The Baggies and the Hammers have met five times in the FA Cup with West Ham winning four times and West Brom once. In total there have been eight games, with three matches drawn.

Saido Berahino has scored in three of his four appearances against West Ham

Berahino has four goals and three assists in two FA Cup appearances this season.

Victor Anichebe has scored four goals in his last three starts in the FA Cup.

West Ham have won only one of their last eight FA Cup matches in normal play (W1 D3 L4).

Tony Pulis: "I’ve always had a go. I can’t speak for other managers, but I’ve always tried to be competitive in all cup times. We’ll be as strong as we possibly can tomorrow. We have one or two niggles so we’ll see what they’re like, but we will field a very strong side. In the context of the season the priority is to stay in the Premier League, but we also want to do well in the Cup. We will be going flat out tomorrow as I’m sure Sam Allardyce will. Sam will know how important this is to West Ham."

Sam Allardyce: "Our run in the FA Cup has been very good. We would’ve hoped to be in a better place squad wise, particularly when we’ve played three games in a week. For us, the wins have eluded us recently and that is mainly down to the injuries we’ve had. We want to win on Saturday, we don’t want to be knocked out. If necessary we have to take them back to the Boleyn Ground then so be it but it’s not ideal with the injuries we have. However, we will try and win it on the day. Saturday is a big game for both teams, Tony [Pulis] has done well since he’s joined and doing well with the FA Cup certainly has helped to lift the team.”

West Bromwich Albion (6/4) West Ham United (2/1) Draw (5/2)