West Bromwich Albion will be looking to arrest their recent slump when they entertain West Ham United at The Hawthorns in the Premier League on Tuesday.

The Baggies' 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend was their third successive loss and saw them slip to 15th in the table, two points above the drop zone.

Alan Irvine's brief when he was surprisingly appointed as manager in the summer must have been to steer them clear of the type of relegation battle that they were engulfed in for much of last season.

However, some Albion fans already appear to have lost faith in the former Everton coach, who has yet to correct alarming form which has seen them win just three of their last 21 top-flight home games.

One of those victories came over West Ham United in April, but the Londoners are a much stronger unit this season and have made their best ever Premier League start to sit fifth in the table after 13 matches.

Manager Sam Allarydyce hailed the importance of a "massive win" over Newcastle United on Saturday, which ended a three-match winless run and came despite the absence of several of their shrewd signings.

Barcelona loanee Alex Song, six-goal striker Diafra Sakho and World Cup star Enner Valencia are all doubts again for the trip to the Midlands, but Winston Reid is back from suspension and will replace James Tomkins.

Andy Carroll needs a goal to give Allardyce food for thought when Sakho and Valencia return, and will get a third straight start, perhaps with Mauro Zarate rather than Matt Jarvis in one of three supporting positions.

Left-back Aaron Cresswell opened his Hammers account with the winner against the Magpies at Upton Park, where Mark Noble became the club's leading Premier League appearance maker with 205.

Victor Anichebe may be recalled play alongside the England Under-21 option at the expense of Stephane Sessegnon, whose withdrawal versus Arsenal was greeted with jeers by the Baggies supporters.

Left-back Sebastien Pocognoli has picked up another knock and so Cristian Gamboa will be needed from the start. Youssouf Mulumbu should retain his place in midfield, with James Morrison ill and Claudio Yacob banned.

Berahino bagged in both of last season's fixtures against the Hammers, who have not won on their last four visits to The Hawthorns and are 12 league games without a clean sheet on their travels.

West Brom:

Form in Premier League: DDWLLL
Form in all competitions: DLWLLL

Possible starting lineup: Foster; Wisdom, Dawson, Lescott, Gamboa; Dorrans, Gardner, Mulumbu, Brunt; Berahino, Anichebe

West Ham:

Recent form: WWDDLW

Possible starting lineup: Adrian; Jenkinson, Reid, Collins, Cresswell; Kouyate, Noble; Amalfitano, Downing, Zarate; Carroll

Sports Mole says: 1-0