Both Alan Pardew and Sam Allardyce will come up against their former clubs this weekend as West Ham United host Newcastle United at Upton Park.
Newcastle boss Pardew was axed by the Hammers in the 2006-2007 season, in which they ended up getting relegated, while Allardyce lasted only five months at the Tyneside club, and he has another former Magpie at his disposal on Saturday as he looks to guide his side away from the Premier League relegation zone.
Record signing Andy Carroll's first appearance of the season in the 2-0 win at Cardiff City was described as a massive confidence boost for a West Ham side who went six games without a win over Christmas.
The powerful striker is unlikely to feature from the start against his boyhood club, with Carlton Cole, who signed a new 18-month contract at the Boleyn Ground this week, poised to continue up front.
Another Hammer with Newcastle connections, Kevin Nolan, is suspended, as is James Tomkins, but Allardyce may be able to call upon James Collins to ease his defensive injury concerns, which include Guy Demel and Joey O'Brien, both of whom face late fitness tests.
Despite a public interest from Fulham, who have been reported to the Premier League by West Ham for allegedly tapping up Ravel Morrison, the highly-rated midfielder could be recalled in the centre of the park, although Jack Collison may be retained having started West Ham's triumph in Wales.
The Magpies have lost three Premier League matches in a row, so Pardew may turn to the enigmatic Hatem Ben Arfa to get his side's campaign for European qualification back on the right track.
Vurnon Anita could be the man sacrificed if Pardew recalls Ben Arfa to his starting XI and plays him in an all-French forward three of Loic Remy and Yoan Gouffran.
Les Bleus international full-back Mathieu Debuchy serves the final match of his suspension and so Steven Taylor, who was apparently wanting out of St James' Park less than a month ago, will start consecutive top-flight games for the first time this season, with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa continuing at left-back.
Recent form
West Ham: WLDLLD
Newcastle: LLLWWD
Possible starting lineups
West Ham: Adrian; Demel, Johnson, Collins, Rat; Noble, Taylor, Collison; Jarvis, Downing, C.Cole
Newcastle: Krul; Santon, Williamson, Taylor,Yanga-Mbiwa; Cabaye, Tiote, Sissoko; Ben Arfa, Gouffran, Remy
Sports Mole says: 2-1
Joe Fish
