WEST Ham's Matty Upson could hand under-fire boss Alan Curbishley a boost for Saturday's encounter with Blackburn.

The defender limped out of the Irons' defeat at Liverpool last week with a calf injury and subsequently missed the drubbing at Spurs on Sunday.

However, the 28-year-old (pictured) is expected to make a return in the Premier League clash with Rovers at Upton Park.

His involvment would be a big bonus to Curbishley, who is looking towards his senior players to help get the club back on track following three consecutive 4-0 defeats.

"You need some experience when you've had the set of results we've had," insisted Curbishley.

"When you've lost three games on the spin by 4-0 then you need to bounce back.

"Blackburn is the sort of side that can come and make it very difficult for us. So there's a few things that we've got to get right."

Midfielder Lee Bowyer, who hasn't featured since facing Birmingham on February 9, is back in training and has an outside chance of being in contention to face Mark Hughes' men.

But the game has come too early for Julien Faubert. The French winger has been struggling with a calf strain, although is due to be back in training this week.

The Hammers' poor run of results could also mean that there is no room in the squad for promising youngsters Freddie Sears, James Tomkins or Jack Collison.

All have been involved with the first team squad in recent weeks.

But Curbishley said: "I've been saying for the last couple of weeks that I wouldn't be fazed to put a few of the young boys in but the time has to be right for that - (and) after three 4-0 defeats it might not be the right time.

"It is down to me as a manager to decide what is best for the club and to see if I've got anything there.

"But they've impressed me a lot so we will see what happens in the last nine games."