Injury boost for the Hammers

4:13pm Tuesday 17th June 2008

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WEST HAM will welcome back a number of key players for next season's curtain raiser at Wigan Athletic on August 16.

The Hammers endured a season-long injury crisis last term, but many of those absentees will return in time for the big kick-off.

Striker Craig Bellamy and winger Kieran Dyer are both expected to be fit to start the new season, while other casualties including Matthew Upson, Matthew Etherington, Lee Bowyer and Julien Faubert look to be in contention to feature in the opening game.

The only player who looks to be struggling is defender Jonathan Spector, who could face up to six months out after undergoing a hip operation.