Victor Moses targets win against former club Crystal Palace

Moses, who arrived from Chelsea on loan in the summer, is one of Bilic’s recruits and he admits that he has become a big fan of the West Ham boss during his short stay in east London.

Pardew has grown tired of being asked about the possibility of taking over the national side over recent weeks and was initially reluctant to address the subject again on Thursday when questioned at his pre-match press conference at Palace’s Beckenham training ground.

The four players are Damien Delaney, Mile Jedinak, Jordan Mutch and Chung-yong Lee.

Joe Ledley will fill in, if required.

“Valencia has been out since late July, it was a long break but he is back and it’s a great thing for us”, said Bilic.

“The momentum needs to be used in our favour, especially at home. We are doing very well and we want to stick by him and do very well this season”.

“It’s an unbelievable record but we know we need to improve at home”. The opposition has found it hard to get the rhythm in the middle of the park as Cabaye and his partner-in-crime James McArthur have been disrupting the opposition with tackles and critical interceptions (Cabaye has averaged close to five successful tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes this season).

Sitting three points off top spot after eight games may be an even better start than a confident Pardew was expecting, but he will be fully aware that one poor display could begin a run of disappointing results which would allow the teams around them to pull clear.

“We have players coming back from internationals as well as a few injured ones”.

Wright, who played over 200 league games for Palace, said: “When you consider he’s [Alli] played only four games, it does seem like “what are you aiming for then”?”

Sam Allardyce’s switch to Sunderland was the big news earlier in the week, while his comments about West Ham players and rival managers have caught the attention of many as his new book flirts with controversial matters. I am very pleased to be here and enjoying my football.

But while striker Andy Carroll continues his slow but steady return to full fitness following a nine month spell on the sidelines, defenders Aaron Cresswell and Winston Reid are both touch-and-go for Saturday’s London derby.