WEST HAM defender Tal Ben Haim is confident his team-mates can pick up their first win of the season at Stoke on Saturday in his absence.

The Israeli centre-back will miss the trip to the Britannia Stadium to observe the Jewish holy day of Yomm Kippur, or Day of Atonement, which consists of 25 hours of fasting and intensive prayer. Manager Avram Grant will also be absent to observe the day.

However, the 28-year-old still believes the team can win their first points of the campaign.

“In the Premier League it is very important that you score first, because when you score first you have a big chance to win the game,” he told West Ham United TV. “Of course we should be optimistic. I'm sure that if we get one or two good results we can move forward.”