Diame set for debut against the Hammers

The 27-year-old Senegal international was one of four new arrivals on the final day of the transfer window.

However, with Hatem Ben Arfa and Gaston Ramirez both lacking match practice and record £10m signing Abel Hernandez not having been in England last week due to having to be in Italy to secure a work permit, which he has now done, Diame looks the most likely of the quartet to start.

Manager Steve Bruce said: “Mo arrived back (from international duty) on Friday and is in the mix. How often do we see it, someone doing well against their former club?

“I would have said the one who headed the queue would have been Hernandez. He has been playing week in, week out (for Palermo in Italy this season) and played twice for Uruguay.

“But he has been getting his work permit sorted, he had to go to the British Embassy to get it.

“As for Ben Arfa and Ramirez, they have trained for 10 days but I won’t risk them if they are not 100 per cent physically right.

“The last thing I want is for them to pull a muscle or some sort of damage.”

The international break has been a frustration for Bruce, who was left fuming by his side’s first-half display in the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa on the final day of August.

He added: “Deadline day seems ages ago.

“The disappointing thing for me was all the new signings disappeared to go off and play for their countries.”

New signing Alex Song could make his Hammers debut.

Last six games: Hull City WWLDWL, West Ham United WLLWDL.

Referee: M Atkinson (West Yorkshire).

Last time: Hull City 1 West Ham United 0; September 28, 2013; Premier League.