Avram Grant is sweating on the fitness of midfield star Scott Parker ahead of West Ham’s trip to Sunderland on Sunday.
Parker has been suffering with a chest infection but Grant says he has still been training.
He said: “Scott Parker has been taking part in training but we do not want to take any risks with him.”
“Every player who performs well deserves to play. Competition is the heart of the sport.”
Sunderland are unbeaten at home this season and Grant knows it will be a tough afternoon for bottom side West Ham.
“To go and play at Sunderland is one of the most difficult games in the league,” Grant said.
“They are very good, especially at home and they are scoring a lot of goals. It will be very hard for our defence.”
“They are a good team – very balanced, and they have spent money on good players.
“It won’t be easy but then our target is that it will not be easy to play against us.”
After a Premier League win against Wigan last week (only their second of the season) and a thrilling 4-0 midweek League Cup victory over Manchester United, Grant says his side has turned the corner.
“For us it was very important to get a result against Manchester United and Wigan,” Grant said.
“It was for the fans because we love to see them happy – that makes me happy.”
“We have been on the edge between drawing and winning games – for most of the games we were better [than the other teams] but you cannot get any points for being better.”
Definitely missing are Jack Collison, Anthony Edgar and Peter Kurucz (all knee).
Manuel Da Costa (ankle), Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh) and Mark Noble (appendicitis) are also out. Kieron Dyer (hamstring) is doubtful.
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