Old friends go to war as West Ham and Crystal Palace go head-to-head

Mark Noble admits it will be a weird feeling to line-up on the opposite side to James Tomkins this weekend having played alongside each other for 15 years.

The duo came through the Hammers ranks alongside each other in their youth, but this summer Tomkins left the club to join Crystal Palace as he was not guaranteed regular football at the London Stadium.

And on Saturday the two good friends will come head-to-head when Tomkins’ new club face West Ham at Selhurst Park.

Noble said: “It will feel very strange on Saturday having played alongside James for so many years.

“I say playing, but looking after him for so many years.

“I got him out of a number of situations on the pitch but I would like to put him in trouble on Saturday.

James Tomkins moved to Crystal Palace in the summer. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

“It is a shame he had to move on but that is football and it is very common for things to happen like that.

“He is 27 and wanted to play regular first-team football. It is a big loss for us because it is not just how good he is on the pitch, but the impact he has around the training ground. We have to move on now and good luck to him.

“He lives down the same road as me so we see each other a lot. But when we are on the pitch the main focus for me is getting the three points.

“He is a great lad and we get on so well. But you have to accept these things and we need to get the win on Saturday.”