Venables and Roeder aiming to ease the pressure

Leeds United manager Terry Venables and his West Ham counterpart Glenn Roeder will each hope to stem the flow of criticism when their sides meet at Upton Park on Sunday.

Former England boss Venables has become a target for the Leeds fans after his side's poor start to their premier league campaign, while under-fire Roeder is still searching for his first home win of the season.

Leeds, who have been depleted by injuries, have managed just one victory from their last nine league outings. They are currently 15th in the table, just three points above the relegation zone.

The Yorkshire club will be without suspended England striker Alan Smith while internationals Danny Mills, Robbie Fowler, Olivier Dacourt and Dominic Matteo are all out injured.

Jonathan Woodgate and Eirik Bakke face late fitness tests, although Lucas Radebe should return from a knee injury and Nick Barmby from a bout of flu.

West Ham, meanwhile, welcome back striker Paolo Di Canio, despite the Italian's future at Upton Park looking doubtful after recent clashes over his demand for a new contract.

Roeder, whose side were embarrassingly knocked out of the League Cup by second division Oldham on Wednesday, will also hope to include Trevor Sinclair.

The England winger cracked a cheekbone in the loss to Liverpool last weekend, but a protective face mask should allow him to start.

Czech defender Tomas Repka is set to return to the West Ham line-up as they attempt to improve a record that has seen them secure just two points from six home games.

In Sunday's other premier league clash, Tottenham Hotspur can break back into the top four with a victory away to Sunderland.

Spurs will be without the injured Les Ferdinand, although fellow-striker Robbie Keane will aim to make amends for a series of missed chances in their League Cup loss to first division Burnley on Wednesday.

Second-from-bottom Sunderland have lost just once in four games under new boss Howard Wilkinson, who gave up his technical director role with the FA last month to join the Wearside club.

His side will go into the game with their confidence high after coming back from 2-0 down to beat a below-strength Arsenal 3-2 in the League Cup last week.