West Ham manager Alan Curbishley is sticking by his early season pledge to take the Carling Cup as seriously as possible.
The Hammers, who are at home to Plymouth tomorrow, know there will be little respite before Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal arrive at Upton Park on Saturday.
Curbishley sent out an experienced side in the previous round, which saw Bristol Rovers beaten 2-1 thanks to two Craig Bellamy strikes.
But although the loss of Kieron Dyer to a broken leg that night meant victory came at a high cost, Curbishley made it clear he would continue to use a majority of first-choice players in a competition he believes his side can win.
He said: "I did say after the Bristol Rovers game how disappointed I was after what happened to Kieron but we are in these competitions and we have got to attack them.
"Every now and then a team from outside the top four gets to the final so if you are a team like that then that is what you should be looking to do.
"We have injuries here but we have got enough to attack it."
Bellamy missed Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Newcastle because of a hamstring problem and Curbishley admitted he was likely to leave him out again tomorrow.
But with Nolberto Solano and Henri Camara both cup-tied and Bobby Zamora out with a knee injury there are few other attacking options remaining for the Hammers, who paired Dean Ashton with Carlton Cole at St James's Park.
On Bellamy Curbishley said: "He wants to give it a go but we will have to decide whether we risk it or give him a week's training ahead of the Arsenal game.
"If Craig doesn't make it we have only two recognised senior strikers. We could bring in youngsters if we wanted to but I can also play Freddie Ljungberg or Luis Boa Morte up there. We can cope."
Richard Wright will take over from Robert Green in goal with the former Everton and Arsenal man having made his debut at Bristol Rovers but then being dropped back to the bench.
Wales defender Danny Gabbidon is likely to make only his second start of the season, having been used for just four minutes of Premier League action so far this term.
Scott Parker's recovery from a knee injury means the former Newcastle man, who moved to Upton Park in the summer for a £7million fee is at last in line for a debut.
Curbishley sent out an experienced side in the previous round, which saw Bristol Rovers beaten 2-1 thanks to two Craig Bellamy strikes.
But although the loss of Kieron Dyer to a broken leg that night meant victory came at a high cost, Curbishley made it clear he would continue to use a majority of first-choice players in a competition he believes his side can win.
He said: "I did say after the Bristol Rovers game how disappointed I was after what happened to Kieron but we are in these competitions and we have got to attack them.
"Every now and then a team from outside the top four gets to the final so if you are a team like that then that is what you should be looking to do.
"We have injuries here but we have got enough to attack it."
Bellamy missed Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Newcastle because of a hamstring problem and Curbishley admitted he was likely to leave him out again tomorrow.
But with Nolberto Solano and Henri Camara both cup-tied and Bobby Zamora out with a knee injury there are few other attacking options remaining for the Hammers, who paired Dean Ashton with Carlton Cole at St James's Park.
On Bellamy Curbishley said: "He wants to give it a go but we will have to decide whether we risk it or give him a week's training ahead of the Arsenal game.
"If Craig doesn't make it we have only two recognised senior strikers. We could bring in youngsters if we wanted to but I can also play Freddie Ljungberg or Luis Boa Morte up there. We can cope."
Richard Wright will take over from Robert Green in goal with the former Everton and Arsenal man having made his debut at Bristol Rovers but then being dropped back to the bench.
Wales defender Danny Gabbidon is likely to make only his second start of the season, having been used for just four minutes of Premier League action so far this term.
Scott Parker's recovery from a knee injury means the former Newcastle man, who moved to Upton Park in the summer for a £7million fee is at last in line for a debut.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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