Pardew upbeat despite injury blow for Mackay

West Ham could be without central defender Malky Mackay at Derby tonight as Alan Pardew's side attempt to close the gap at the top of the Championship.

The Upton Park club lost ground on the leaders when they conceded two late goals to lose at Nottingham Forest and Pardew admitted: "We don't want that gap widening."

A calf injury could rule Mackay out of tonight's clash, with Hayden Mullins the likely replacement.

"We were all very disappointed with the result on Sunday," admitted Pardew. "I thought we played well and deserved to win and that would have put us just a point off the top club. We have to put that disappointment behind us quickly, though.

"I thought there were some good performances against Forest, particularly Nigel Reo-Coker in midfield.

"He's been one of our most consistent players this season and one of the reasons is that he has come to terms with the expectation level at this club." West Ham follow tonight's match with a home clash against Wolves on Saturday and Pardew is aware that the schedule is demanding, particularly on his 38-year-old striker Teddy Sheringham.

"He and I knew about the rigours of this league when he joined the club," said Pardew. "Teddy's a superb professional but we have to be sensible and he had a few days off last week in preparation for these hectic few days. And we have Bobby Zamora fit again now.

"Despite Sunday's defeat, I still feel good about this squad. With players of the calibre of Steve Lomas and Sergei Rebrov in the squad, we have plenty of quality."