FREDDIE Sears gets a first start in more than 18 months for West Ham at Fulham after being recalled from his loan at Scunthorpe United.

The striker’s last appearance for the Hammers came against West Brom back in March 2009.

He will line up alongside Carlton Cole and Freddie Piquionne, with manager Avram Grant making five changes to the team that drew with Blackburn last week.

Former Fulham favourite Luis Boa Morte is suspended, while Jonathan Spector, Pablo Barrera, Kieron Dyer and Ruud Boffin also drop to the bench.

In come Robert Green, who has recovered from minor surgery, Radoslav Kovac, Junior Stanislas – last week’s goalscorer – and Cole.

Team: Green, Ben Haim, Gabbidon, Upson, Tomkins, Kovac, Parker, Piquionne, Cole, Sears, Stanislas. Subs: Boffin, Reid, Ilunga, Spector, Barrera, Nouble, Obinna.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Salcido, Davies, Etuhu, Murphy, Gera, Dempsey, Jonhson. Subs: Stockdale, Baird, Halliche, Greening, Duff, Kamara, E Johnson