Hammers defender can give the team a boost for their trip to play Everton on Saturday.

WEST HAM defender Lars Jacobsen is set to give the team a boost by returning to the starting line-up for Saturday’s vital trip to his former club Everton.

The 31-year-old right back has missed the last 10 Premier League games since limping out of the 3-1 win over Wigan Athletic on November 27.

Since then he has suffered recurring problems with a heel injury, but he has now been training fully for a week and a half and unless there are further problems he will go straight into the team at Goodison Park.

West Ham are still assessing midfielders Scott Parker and Mark Noble, but are quietly confident that both will play some part on Saturday, in what looks to be a vital match.

Parker missed the 3-0 thumping by Arsenal on Saturday, while Noble limped off after just 20 minutes, though he was insisting he could carry on as he was substituted.

Freddie Piquionne has recovered from the toothache that inexplicably forced him to return to France for treatment, but Victor Obinna will serve the second of his three-match ban after being sent off in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg.

Kieron Dyer is unlikely to feature as he continues to struggle with a thigh injury, while Valon Behrami, Herita Ilunga and Benni McCarthy are not expected to be risked as West Ham are in negotiations to ship the trio out of Upton Park before the end of the transfer window.