ROY HODGSON has warned Christian Poulsen only good performances can win over the Liverpool crowd as injuries paved the way for the Dane’s first-team return this evening.

Poulsen will line up in central midfield for the Premier League visit of rock-bottom West Ham United after Jay Spearing joined Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva on the sidelines.

Spearing has been ruled out until the New Year with an ankle injury suffered during the closing stages of training at Melwood yesterday.

Poulsen’s last two starts at Anfield have ended with him being substituted to cheers from the home crowd after disappointing displays against Blackpool and Napoli.

And while backing the 30-year-old, Hodgson admits the defensive midfielder must expect such criticism if his poor home form continues.

"At Napoli he was outstanding and he did very well in Trabzon," said the Liverpool manager. "But of course he’s had two very unfortunate games at Anfield where he’s not played to his true ability and he’s missed some passes and of course the crowd have jumped onto him but that’s a fact a life.

"Christian is a strong person though, very strong mentally, and he’s a good player so he’s just going to have to get through that and that won’t happen overnight.

"Nothing I can say will change the fact that if he misses the first two or three passes tomorrow or plays badly then the crowd will get on to him again.

"That’s what will happen, that’s life, but he’s strong enough to deal with that. He wouldn’t have played in the game had Lucas not been suspended because Lucas is playing very well and didn’t deserve to lose his place.

"His chance has come about through Lucas’s suspension and I’m sure we will see a very determined and very committed Christian Poulsen tomorrow and he will be trying to persuade me not to put Lucas back into the team. That’s what I’m expecting."

Lucas is serving a one-match suspension following his red card in the defeat at Stoke City last week while skipper Gerrard is expected to be missing for four weeks after injuring his hamstring playing for England in midweek.

Gerrard’s absence had seemingly paved the way for Spearing to stake a first-team claim, only for the unlucky 21-year-old to suffer a devastating setback.

"Unfortunately, right at the end of the training session, which was five-a-side and not at all a competitive game, he turned his ankle and cracked a small bone just above the ankle in his fibia," said Hodgson.

"That means he is going to be missing for six weeks. It is a terrible blow for Jay and us.

"He has been doing ever so well and getting closer and closer to a place in the first team.

"I was considering using him in this game, possibly even starting him."

Glen Johnson will return at right-back this evening after overcoming an adductor problem, while Martin Skrtel, Dirk Kuyt and Fernando Torres have all been passed fit.

And with so many absent midfielders, David Ngog is in line for a first league start since August 23 by partnering Torres up front.

Meanwhile, Hodgson has responded to suggestions Dani Pacheco is seeking a move away from Liverpool by intimating the young Spaniard will have limited first-team opportunities this season.

"He’s a certain type of player, he’s doing okay," said the Anfield manager. "He’s had moments when he’s looked good, others when not quite so. He’s working on his game.

"He featured in that unfortunate Northampton game. It’s a fact of life that it was a great opportunity for those outside the first 13 or 14 to really show me ‘you should be thinking of me,’ but of course the only ones to come out with any credit were Soto and Shelvey.

"When will he get a chance again? Probably in one of these games in Europe and who knows, maybe he will burst back on to the scene, but it’s very difficult to do that in a reserve game."