WEST HAM BOSS Avram Grant has been forced into five changes for this afternoon's clash against Blackburn Rovers.

Ruud Boffin comes in for his first Premier League start for the club after injuries to Robert Green and Marek Stech.

A five-man midfield will line up at Ewood Park, with Jonathan Spector being dropped to the bench and replaced by Luis Boa Morte. The Portuguese player will pack the centre of midfield with Scott Parker and Valon Behrami, who makes his return from injury.

Freddie Piquionne will lead the line on his own up front, with Pablo Barrera and Kieron Dyer on the flanks.

Tal Ben Haim will revert to right-back after playing on the opposite side against Manchester City last week, while Danny Gabbidon will occupy the left side. Matthew Upson and James Tomkins continue their partnership in the middle.

West Ham: Boffin, Gabbidon, Tomkins, Dyer, Parker, Barrera, Boa Morte, Upson, Behrami, Piquionne. Subs: Larkins, Reid, Cole, McCarthy, Spector, Faubert, Stanislas

Blackburn: Robinson, Samba, Givet, Nelsen, Emerton, Dunn, Diouf, Pedersen, Salgado, Roberts, Mame Diouf. Subs: Bunn, Olsson, Kalinic, Benjani, Hoilett, Jones, Hanley