Carlton Cole and Kieron Dyer set to return for under-pressure West Ham

Under-fire West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has received a double boost with the return to fitness of Kieron Dyer and Carlton Cole for tomorrow’s trip to fellow strugglers Hull City.

Injury-prone Dyer has only managed three Premier League appearances this season, but returned to training this week.

Although he will not be in the squad for the crunch clash with the Tigers, striker Cole will be included.

Cole missed both the Hammers’ 2-1 defeat at home to Everton and England’s friendly defeat to Brazil in Qatar last week.

Dyer had been linked with a loan move back to Championship side Ipswich, but Zola dismissed talk of him leaving Upton Park.

“Dyer is back in training this week and doing very well,” said Zola. “The problem with him is he finds it very difficult to keep the fitness, but I am hoping that changes now. He is a player that can give us something.”

Struggling West Ham and Hull both need the points and Zola added: “It is a massive game for many reasons including the confidence. All the players know that and I know that. We are close to getting it right.”