Brooking hopes Hammers keep it home sweet home

Trevor Brooking is out to protect his unbeaten home record when promotion rivals Norwich visit Upton Park tonight.

This is the penultimate game of Brooking's second reign as caretaker manager and he wants to hand on his undefeated home record to new boss Alan Pardew, who takes over next week.

"Norwich have had a great run recently and are just two points behind us," said Brooking, who has won nine of his 12 games in charge and lost just once, at Gillingham. "If we survive unscathed tonight it will be something of an achievement."

Jermain Defoe's dismissal in that 2-0 defeat at Gillingham means he's suspended and with David Connolly also banned, Brooking has a problem in the striking department. Between them Defoe and Connolly have scored 15 goals this season. Neil Mellor, on loan from Liverpool, is certain to be in the starting line-up with either Don Hutchison or Richard Garcia partnering him.

Brooking will give late fitness tests to knee injury victims Ian Pearce and Kevin Horlock but Michael Carrick, who returned to first team duty in the 1-0 win at Derby, retains his place in midfield.

Wayne Quinn has extended his loan deal from Newcastle until the end of the season.