New West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has been given a home start to the npower Championship season with a home game against Cardiff City on Saturday, August 6.

It will be a tough start for the relegated Hammers, as the Welsh side just missed out on the play-offs last season. The first away trip for the Hammers is against Doncaster Rovers a week later.

There will also be a trip to Millwall early on, with the Hammers due to visit the New Den on Saturday, September 17. Then they go to London rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday, October 1.

Hammers spend Christmas on the road travelling to fellow relegated side Birmingham City on Boxing Day and Derby County on New Year’s Eve.

But they finish with three of their last five games at home, with Birmingham City and Brighton visitors to Upton Park in April, before the Hammers sign off at home to Hull City on Saturday, April 28.