INSPIRATIONAL midfielder Scott Parker is set to return for the vital Premier League clash with Wolves on Sunday. The 29-year-old missed Sunday s FA Cup defeat against Arsenal as a precaution after limping off with a hamstring strain at Tottenham last week

INSPIRATIONAL midfielder Scott Parker is set to return for the vital Premier League clash with Wolves on Sunday.

The 29-year-old missed Sunday's FA Cup defeat against Arsenal as a precaution after limping off with a hamstring strain at Tottenham last week.

But he will be back in full training this week) and is expected to take his place in the starting line-up.

Also set to return to the squad are Mark Noble, Jack Collison and Jonathan Spector, who were rested with little niggles on Sunday, while Guillermo Franco is back from suspension.

Kieron Dyer and Danny Gabbidon are expected to be back in contention for the Aston Villa match on January 17, while the only player struggling seems to be full back Herita Ilunga, whose hamstring injury is more serious than Parker's.

Manager Gianfranco Zola has to decide whether to stick with young full back Fabio Daprela, who impressed on his debut on Sunday, or play it safe and go with the more experienced Spector at left back.

He will make the decision on the day of the game.

Zola was greatly heartened by his makeshift team's performance against the Gunners, and he is determined that the side go into Sunday's big game in the same frame of mind.

"It depends on how we perform on Sunday, but if we play with the attitude we had against Arsenal and in the last few games, it will give us a favour," said the Italian.

"It will depend on the players we can get back, and yes, we have important matches coming up, like the one on Sunday, but we'll be alright.

"I can write that down right now."

MEANWHILE, West Ham's FA disciplinary hearing into the events during the Carling Cup clash with Millwall begins today.

The club face seven charges and will contest all of them, claiming that they carried out every stipulation put down by the Metropolitan Police before the controversial cup tie.

The hearing is expected to last until the end of the week, and in the meantime the investigation goes on, with the Hammers once again publishing CCTV images of people they would like to speak to in last Sunday's matchday programme.

THE financial settlement regarding former manager Alan Curbishley's successful constructive dismissal case has been postponed.

The tribunal were due to meet in January to impose a penalty on West Ham, but it has now been put back until the Spring.