WEST Ham boss Avram Grant admits he does not have the luxury of resting some of his first-team regulars in the Carling Cup tonight.

The Hammers got off the mark in Premier League when Scott Parker’s goal earned them a 1-1 draw at Stoke on Saturday.

Now they face Sunderland in the third round of the Carling Cup and Grant sees the game as a real chance to get a win under their belts.

“You need points and we took our first point,” Grant said. “We could have taken three, because I think we played very well and reacted well after their goal, so there are many positives we can take to the next games.

“The staff and the players did a good job and that’s what is important. The most important thing is that the team continues focusing and takes more points.

“We want to win any game — friendly games, league games and also in the Carling Cup — so we will go to this game and we want to win and we want to be in the next round.

“But Valon Behrami (knee) got injured on Saturday and also Thomas Hitzlsperger is injured. So we won’t have players resting as they’ll play.”

Czech midfielder Radoslav Kovac is hoping to retain his place in the side for the trip to Sunderland.

Kovac was introduced as a second-half substitute for the injured Behrami against Stoke.

Having helped the club pick up their first Premier League point of the season in the Potteries, Kovac is now eyeing a place in the side at the Stadium of Light.

The 30-year-old former Spartak Moscow star is also eager to be involved in the London derbies with Tottenham on Saturday and Fulham on October 2.

“We have lost our last three games, so to get a draw and not lose gives us a real boost,” said Kovac. “From now, our confidence can get better and better and better.

“I enjoy the physical battle against Stoke every time, putting in challenges and winning headers.

“We go to Sunderland and we need to get a result there to set us up well for Tottenham. We have two important home games coming up and I hope to be in the starting line-up for both of them.”