.. but Hammers boss insists his men will be ready for any rough stuff

MANUEL PELLEGRINI says his West Ham players will be ready to rumble if Eric Dier tries to get physical again. Tottenham midfielder Dier changed the momentum of England’s eventual Nations League win against Spain by wiping out Sergio Ramos with a throwback, crunching challenge.

There are likely to be a few similar tackles flying in from both sides during today’s derby between London enemies West Ham and Spurs.

Hammers boss Pellegrini said: “The players have the experience to know how to react. We brought players that I and the sporting director knew were able to handle the physicality of English football.”

Trying to halt Spurs striker Harry Kane, described as “one of the best players in the world” by Pellegrini, will be another big task for West Ham – and in particular centre-backs, Paraguayan Fabian Balbuena, 27, and Frenchman Issa Diop, 21 (left, with Declan Rice).

The summer signings have started six of West Ham’s eight league games together. But Pellegrini knows hitting the ground running in English football is not easy for defenders having witnessed the early struggles of Martin Demichelis, Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi while in charge at Manchester City.

He added: “Both of them are improving.

“Maybe Fabian has more experience but he is coming from playing for a big team in Brazil so it is normal he needs a couple of games to adapt.

“Issa Diop is a very good player who is always asking and learning.”