Blues’ boss, anxious not to put too heavy a demand on the 30-year-old Wales skipper, would prefer to give him a rest after his two-goal derby display and a full midweek shift against Fulham.
Roque Santa Cruz is now fit for his first appearance since a summer move from Blackburn Rovers, but the Paraguay striker, who had knee surgery towards the end of last season, will have to settle for a place on the bench tonight.
Hughes said: “It’s been a big week for Craig and I don’t like playing him three times in a week, but he’s really looking forward to it.
“He loves to play against his former clubs - he had a great time at West Ham and has a lot of respect for Gianfranco Zola and everybody at the club.”
Asked if far-from-shy Bellers had been offering any inside info or advice on the club he left in January, Hughes grinned: “He gives us advice all the time!”
But Hughes knows West Ham manager Zola’s modus operandi well enough after their time together at Chelsea, and added: “West Ham is a difficult game and the extra days rest will have been crucial to us.
“We are up against a good West Ham side who like to get the ball down and play good football. That’s how we like to play as well, and hopefully we’ll have a few more options available.
“I know Gianfranco very well, having played alongside him for three years. I count him as a friend. He’s done a fantastic job there in difficult circumstances.
“His mindset is that he wants his team to play attacking football. I’m of the same mind. But that’s a challenge for them given how strong we are at our stadium. It’s a test for them.”
Captain Kolo Toure, less familiar with Zola than his boss, is more wary. Asked if he expected an open game, he shrugged and said: “I don’t think so - there is an Italian manager there.”
