HAMMERS TEAM NEWS: New-boy Diego left at home for Hull clash (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

HAMMERS TEAM NEWS: New-boy Diego left at home for Hull clash

9:15am Saturday 18th October 2008 in

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WEST HAM new-boy Diego Tristan is not included in Gianfranco Zola's squad for tomorrow's trip to Hull City.

The Spain international forward - signed on Tuesday following a successful two-week trial at Upton Park - is deemed not fit enough for the KC Stadium clash.

The 32-year-old has been without a club since leaving Italian side Livorno at the end of last season and Zola admits he will not rush the target man back into action.

"It's too early for Tristan," said Zola.

"It will take him a couple of weeks to be fit for the Premier League."

On his first signing as Hammers boss, Zola added: "I brought him to the club firstly because he is a good player and secondly because Dean Ashton is injured.

"He has been training for two weeks and I have to say he has impressed me very much in his finishing and the way he moves on the pictch is perfect for the way we play.

"Hopefully now we're going to get him back physically the way he was and he will be a very good signing for us.

"He just needs to work on his fitness a little bit so he can be back at his best."

Meanwhile, Lee Bowyer (groin) and James Collins (knee) are back in contention of making the travelling party after returning from their respective injuries.

But the Hammers are still without Ashton (ankle), James Tomkins (groin), Kieron Dyer (leg), Jonathan Spector (knee) and Danny Gabbidon (stomach).

West Ham: (from)Green, Faubert, Neill, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble, Di Michele, Bellamy, Etherington, Sears, Cole, Lastuvka, Lopez, Mullina, Boa Morte, Davenport, Bowyer, Collins.