West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce was happy with the debut of Mladen Petric in defeat to Everton.

Allardyce admits a Capital One Cup appearance against Cardiff City is unlikely.

Allardyce said: "I am not so sure he will start. He played a highly competitive game in the Premier League in only week two of his pre-season. Normally he would be playing 45 minutes against Cardiff City.

"So there is the difference. Instead of playing 45 minutes against Cardiff City, he has played 30 minutes against Everton and he is feeling the stresses and strains of that a little bit.

"We have to be careful with him because we want to keep him fit, but he will be in the squad."