Kurt Zouma has pulled out of the West Ham starting line-up just 20 minutes ahead of kick-off and is replaced in the team by Issa Diop.
The centre-back was due to start despite the recent controversy over his attack on his pet cat, however, an injury during the warm-up sees the French defender out of the clash.
Zouma was warming up with his Hammers teammates but during a possession drill the Frenchman walked to one side feeling unwell.
After a chat with assistant Billy McKinlay and a West Ham physio Diop was included in the starting XI drill and Zouma headed down the tunnel.
West Ham confirmed the defender was ill and Diop was promoted to the starting XI as a result.
Diop's spot on the Hammers bench has been taken by goalkeeper Darren Randolph.
The loss of Zouma is a huge one for the Hammers, as despite the controversy surrounding the defender his performance on Tuesday was a strong one and he is West Ham's defensive lynchpin.
The defender has been at the heart of a debate over whether he should have started for West Ham on Tuesday evening but his manager David Moyes, whilst condemning his actions, decided they did not warrant a suspension from the team.
Zouma was fined two-weeks wages and will take courses on animal welfare after the incident. The defender has also seen both his pet cats taken into RSPCA care and he is under investigation by the charity as a result.
The RSPCA are understood to be concluding their investigation and providing their findings in the next few days.
