WEST HAM travel north to take on Wigan Athletic this weekend in a game that could give the fans a first glimpse at their two new arrivals.
Gianfranco Zola was able to bring striker Alessandro Diamanti on board from Italian club Livorno thanks to the club's sponsors bringing forward a due payment to the club. Defender Manuel Da Costa has also been recruited from Fiorentina, funded in part by the movement of Savio Nsereko in the opposite direction. And with a shortage of options up front and at the back, Zola may be forced into handing the pair starting roles against the Latics.
Centre-back James Collins completed his move to Aston Villa on deadline day of the summer transfer window, leaving the Hammers a player light at the heart of the defence. Twenty-year-old James Tomkins will be expected to step up to the plate this season, and could get the nod on Saturday, as defensive linchpin Matthew Upson has already played twice for England in the space of five days and may need to be rested. Danny Gabbidon is also back in the fold after a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury, although Da Costa will be eager to get a chance to impress.
There is a similar dilemma for Zola in attack. Carlton Cole will be available to lead the line after returning from his exploits with England, although he may find himself alongside a new strike partner in Diamanti should the manager decide to experiment with a more attacking formation.
The pair may soon have another ally up front as the club revealed last week that they are hot on the heels of an out-of-contract forward, following an unsuccessful pursuit of unnamed player, believed to be Manchester City striker Benjani or Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh. Rumours suggest former Newcastle United frontman Mark Viduka is top of the list to join the Hammers, as the Australian is a free agent after being released by the Magpies at the end of last season.
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