CARLTON COLE starts for West Ham at St Andrew’s for the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Birmingham City after fears he would not be fit.

With Victor Obinna suspended after his sending off in the first leg, Cole will be supported by Zavon Hines in attack, although the youngster may revert to the right wing, with Avram Grant opting to pack the midfield and stifle the hosts to protect their slender 2-1 advantage from the first leg.

Mark Noble, Scott Parker, Jonathan Spector and Luis Boa Morte will line up along the middle of the park.

Matthew Upson and James Tomkins start at the heart of defence, with Wayne Bridge and Julien Faubert on the flanks.

There is a place on the bench for new signing Gary O’Neil, who joined from Middlesbrough this week.

West Ham: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Bridge, Noble, Parker, Spector, Hines, Cole, Boa Morte. Subs: Boffin, Reid, Gabbidon, Dyer, McCarthy, Sears, O’Neil.