JAMES Tomkins looks set to keep his place in the West Ham starting line up for the trip to Sunderland tomorrow.

The defender - who turns 19 on the day of the game - showed his promising potential with an assured debut against Everton last weekend.

And, with Matthew Upson still struggling to overcome a calf problem, the youngster (pictured) looks set to retain his place at the heart of the Hammers defence against the Black Cats.

However, 18-year-old striker Freddie Sears is likely to miss out with a groin problem, although fellow forward Bobby Zamora is expected to return from a knee injury.

The eight Hammers stars who were in international action in midweek have also come through unscathed.

The Irons will go into the match looking to continue with their recent good form at the Stadium of Light - they've won two and drawn one of their last four visits.

West Ham: (from) Green, Walker, Neill, Spector, Pantsil, McCartney, Ferdinand, Tomkins, Mullins, Noble, Parker, Solano, Boa Morte, Collison, Ljungberg, Ashton, Cole, Zamora.