Team News: Andy Carroll starts for West Ham United

Andy Carroll is poised to make his first start of the season after being named in West Ham United's first XI for the trip to Everton.

The towering striker had been sidelined with a knee injury but made a brief cameo in the 0-0 draw away to Aston Villa last time out.

However, Carroll returns to first-team action at Goodison Park today as one of five changes by manager Sam Allardyce.

The England forward replaces Diafra Sakho, while Carlton Cole displaces Enner Valencia to partner Carroll in attack. Elsewhere, James Tomkins, Morgan Amalfitano and Kevin Nolan come into midfield.

The Toffees also welcome a long-term absentee back into the fold as Kevin Mirallas returns from a two-month layoff as Roberto Martinez is forced into four changes.

Injured duo Leighton Baines and Gareth Barry drop out from the 1-1 draw with Sunderland before the international break, with Tony Hibbert and Leon Osman deputising.

Aiden McGeady and Samuel Eto'o, meanwhile, drop to the bench for Mirallas and Steven Naismith respectively.

Everton: Howard; Coleman, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin; McCarthy, Osman, Barkley, Mirallas, Naismith; Lukaku

West Ham United: Adrian; Reid, Cresswell, Jenkinson, Collins; Nolan, Tomkins, Noble, Amalfitano; Cole, Carroll

Follow Sports Mole's live commentary of the clash here.