Hammers hope Nolan will be back soon

West Ham are confident intensive treatment will ensure a swift return to action for Kevin Nolan after it was confirmed the captain has suffered a broken toe.

The 30-year-old midfielder exacerbated a foot injury in Monday's 3-2 Barclays Premier League loss to Tottenham and will miss Saturday's match at Stoke.

But with over two weeks before the next match at Chelsea on March 17, Press Association Sport understands the Hammers skipper will be subject to rigorous treatment to ensure a speedy return.

West Ham were due to face Manchester United on March 9, but United are in the FA Cup quarter-finals that weekend.

The challenge by Mousa Dembele on Nolan angered West Ham boss Sam Allardyce, who today deferred his pre-match press conference duties to assistant Neil McDonald.

The possibility remains that the 30-year-old will miss a significant portion of the final 11 matches, with the Hammers' top-flight safety still to be assured.

"His toe's very, very sore," McDonald said.

"He's had problems in the past with it - all season really - and he got a really good kick on it.

"I'd imagine he'll not be available for Saturday and we'll see how the results come back and we'll see where he's at.

"He has been playing through the pain barrier. We'll assess it in the next couple of days."