Charlie Austin is in contention for his first Saints start tomorrow.

The £4m striker, who came off the bench to score the winner against Manchester United at Old Trafford, was left out of the squad to take on Arsenal on Tuesday after picking up a knock.

However, he has returned to full training and is ready to face the Hammers.

Matt Targett will miss the game, with Steven Davis touch and go to recover from his hamstring problem in time.

“Matthew Targett is not fit. He got an ankle injury yesterday in the training sessions. It’s not a big issue but he’s not available,” said Koeman.

“We get Charlie Austin back and Steven Davis had the last two days good training sessions, but is doubtful. About Steven we will make tomorrow when I have a talk to the player and the medical staff we will take that final decision.”

Saints sit five points behind West Ham in the Premier League table going into tomorrow’s match, with memories fresh in the mind of the defeat at Upton Park little over a month ago.

“I think they have more confidence, they have a better organisation defensively in the team, they have some really good players with individual qualities,” reflected Koeman.

“They are physically a very strong team and we know what we have to do because not so long ago we played West Ham away, had a great 45 minutes, only 1-0 in front and they put Carroll on the pitch and that makes it more difficult.

“It’s a tough one to beat, they have a great run in away games with big results against big teams and we know we can beat them because we have good players, good confidence.

“We showed that 45 minutes and we have to show that the whole game and then we have that confidence we can beat them.”