New boy should look at the old guard

For West Ham youngsters Frank Lampard and Joe Cole, tomorrow's Premiership clash against Sunderland has taken on extra significance with the news that Sven-Goran Eriksson will be in the grandstand.

Lampard, who was England's Under-21 captain up until this season, was included in Peter Taylor's senior squad for England's friendly against Italy in November but did not play.

Cole, meanwhile, had to withdraw from the Under-21 squad for their match against the Italians after injuring an ankle.

As far as their club manager Harry Redknapp is concerned, though, the Swede could do worse than look at the other end of the Upton Park age spectrum and 38-year-old defender Stuart Pearce.

"Eriksson will obviously be giving players like Frank, Joe and Sunderland's Kevin Phillips the once-over and they're all fine players," said Redknapp.

"Stuart Pearce, though, has been the pick for me. At 38, he's playing as well as ever and if you're good enough, you're young enough.

"He's been in magnificent form this season and against Walsall last Saturday he was outstanding, as usual.

"Joe's just come back from a long injury and I thought he did well against Walsall, as did Frank. With a new coach coming in, everyone has a chance."

One youngster who will miss out on the opportunity to impress Eriksson and his assistant Tord Grip is West Ham midfield teenager Michael Carrick, who is ruled out tomorrow with a hamstring strain.

West Ham coach Glenn Roeder, meanwhile, is hoping that Sunderland striker Phillips has a rare barren day tomorrow.

It was Roeder who, as Watford manager, signed the little goalscorer from Baldock Town for £10,000 in 1994.

"Kevin always seems to score against us so I've told him he owes me one," said Roeder.

"People ask me if I could tell he would play for England one day when I signed him, but in truth, I wasn't even sure he was good enough to play for Watford.

"I was recommended by former Watford player Nigel Callaghan to have a look at this striker at Baldock and I watched him against Fisher Athletic.

"He didn't score but I had seen enough to leave at half-time. His movement was far above the level at which he was playing.

"When Sunderland eventually came in for him I know he wasn't sure about moving up there because all his family lived at Stevenage, but I had played up at Newcastle so I knew how passionate the fans are up in the North-East.

"In the end he took the plunge and he hasn't looked back. For a little fellow he is also an exceptional header of the ball and we need to mark him with someone bigger than him at set pieces if we're going to keep him quiet."

Meanwhile, Redknapp is happy that captain Steve Lomas has decided to stay with the club despite £3.75 million offers from both Manchester City and Everton.

"Steve talked to both clubs but decided he wants to stay here and that's fine with me," said the West Ham manager.