WEST HAM have the tricky task of preparing for the Premier League campaign without 10 of their first team squad. While Wolves will be able to ready themselves for the big kick-off with few interruptions, the Hammers have a sizeable chunk of their talent a

WEST HAM have the tricky task of preparing for the Premier League campaign without 10 of their first team squad.

While Wolves will be able to ready themselves for the big kick-off with few interruptions, the Hammers have a sizeable chunk of their talent away on international duty.

Matty Upson, Robert Green and Carlton Cole will be with England in Holland for a friendly, while Jack Collison, Danny Gabbidon and James Collins have joined up with the Welsh squad for their trip to Montenegro.

Added to that, Jonathan Spector will be in Mexico with the United States for a tough World Cup qualifier, while James Tomkins and Junior Stanislas were with the under-21s for their clash with Holland last night (Tuesday) and Herita Ilunga is with Congo in Paris for a friendly against Senegal.

It is a state of affairs that does not impress boss Gianfranco Zola.

"I am worried about this, I don't think it is the best time, but unfortunately this is the international schedule and I can't avoid that," he explained.

"It is not ideal, because one week before the start of the season you would like to prepare for the game with the whole team.

"Wolves will probably be able to prepare better than us, but I know the rules, and I will try to get on with it.