TEAM NEWSBryan Oviedo will miss this weekend’s trip to West Ham and is expected to be out for a period of “two to three weeks” after being withdrawn against Sunderland with a hamstring complaint last Sunday.
Roberto Martinez also confirmed Steven Pienaar and Tony Hibbert will miss the clash with the Hammers but the Blues boss is hopeful the latter will be available after the international break.
However, there’s more positive news regarding defender Leighton Baines and midfield duo Muhamed Besic and Tom Cleverley.
Martinez reported on Thursday that all three have been training with the first-team squad this week and are close to returning to the fray.
The Hammers could welcome back Winston Reid and Alex Song, though Diafra Sakho and Pedro Obiang (both thigh) are thought to be doubts.
FORMRoberto Martinez’s side head to the Boleyn Ground looking to build on their 6-2 victory over Sunderland at Goodison Park last Sunday.
West Ham, meanwhile, will be hoping they can bounce back from their first defeat in eight league games after suffering a 2-0 loss at Watford.
Despite that defeat at Vicarage Road, the Hammers are currently sixth in the table with 20 points after an impressive start to the season under new boss Slaven Bilic.
Out of their 11 Premier League fixtures, the Hammers have won six, including eye-catching away victories at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City and a recent home triumph over Chelsea.
LAST MEETINGWest Ham United 1-2 Everton, Saturday 16 May 2015
Romelu Lukaku scored an injury-time winner as Everton came from behind to beat West Ham at the Boleyn Ground.
Stewart Downing had given the Hammers the lead on the hour mark but Leon Osman equalised for the Blues just six minutes later.
And Lukaku clinched victory for the Toffees when he netted his 20th goal of the season, heading home Aiden McGeady’s pinpoint cross on 93 minutes.
CLASSIC MEETINGWest Ham United 2-3 Everton, Saturday 21 September 2013
A stunning brace of Leighton Baines free-kicks and a debut goal for Romelu Lukaku secured a dramatic away victory for the Blues two seasons ago.
Ravel Morrison’s deflected opener and Mark Noble's penalty twice gave the Hammers the lead, only for Baines' brilliance to twice pull the Toffees back level at Upton Park.
Midfielder Noble was then sent off for a second yellow when he fouled Ross Barkley on the edge of the box and, with just seven minutes remaining, Roberto Martinez’s side made their extra-man advantage count.
Two Belgians combined as Kevin Mirallas found Lukaku in the box and the loanee striker rose high to powerfully head into the goal and secure victory for his new side.
ONE TO WATCH: Dimitri Payet
France international Dimitri Payet arrived at the Boleyn Ground in June, joining from French Ligue 1 side Marseille.
A player known for his sublime technical skills and fine vision, he signing a five-year-contract with the London club.
And since his move to the Hammers, the 28-year-old has quickly become a fans' favourite, adding flair and creativity to Slaven Bilic's side.
Operating from a central attacking midfield position, Payat has netted five goals in 11 appearances and headed into November as the club's leading scorer.