Goal-hero Bowyer on Hammers injury list

West Ham have taken advantage of this week's international break plus a one-match suspension for Bowyer following five bookings, to book the midfield star in for an operation tomorrow.

Bowyer, who hit a brace in the 5-0 win over Derby, will miss the London derby against Tottenham on Sunday 25 November but manager Alan Curbishley is hoping that Mark Noble, who underwent a similar operation last week, will be fit to return by then.

Curbishley, whose severely patched-up West Ham team have worked wonders to be in mid-table considering the extent of their injury problems, could also have Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy and Dean Ashton back in contention for the Spurs game.

The West Ham manager wants to arrange a practice match behind closed doors during the break for Parker and Ashton, while Bellamy will have completed a period of rest following a troublesome abdominal injury. Less good news though is that Northern Ireland international full-back George McCartney could be doubtful for the clash with Spurs after damaging an ankle early in the match against Derby.

Meanwhile, Curbishley revealed today how a summer heart-to-heart with Bowyer may have made all the difference to the Canning Town-born midfield star.

"I sat down with Lee in the summer and I told him I thought he was trying too hard," he said.

"I know that sounds crazy but this is his football club, the one he supported as a boy and he was desperate to do well. I told him to perhaps settle down a little bit.

"He's done that and his performance against Derby was similar to when I had him as a young player at Charlton when he broke into the scene.

"Lee's been playing with the hernia for some time and he's been booked in for the last month to have the operation tomorrow.

"For us to be mid-table and in the quarter finals of the Carling Cup with all the problems we have had is terrific and is great credit to the players."