Stuart Pearce's long and distinguished career may be over after he suffered a broken leg for the second time in the space of six months at Upton Park.

The injury overshadowed a spirited West Ham performance in which goals from Paulo Wanchope and man-of-the-match Trevor Sinclair lifted them into sixth place in the Premiership.

England warhorse Pearce, 37, injured the same left leg he broke against Watford in September when he made a brave block on Southampton striker Kevin Davies and hobbled off after only nine minutes.

He learnt the shattering news when the leg was X-rayed on the club's mobile scanner in the medical room.

Pearce defied the odds when he made a rapid recovery last time - but now he will find it very difficult to battle back a second time from the same injury.

One bright note for the Hammers was that victory over Glenn Hoddle's Saints lifted them five places in the table, thanks to fine goals from Wanchope (18 minutes) and Sinclair (48).

Another plus for manager Harry Redknapp was the return of star striker Paolo Di Canio.

The popular Italian had missed the previous two games with a hamstring injury but came off the bench to replace Joe Cole for the last 27 minutes.

It had been an eventful start to the match for Pearce as he came close to shooting the Hammers ahead after only three minutes, following a corner which was skilfully won by Sinclair.

Playing as an emergency striker in the absence of Di Canio, England squad member Sinclair met a cross from Cole with an exquisite turn, but the ball was scrambled behind by Jason Dodd.

Frank Lampard's left wing corner found Pearce - playing his third game since the injury in September - at the far post and his half-volley was blocked by Paul Jones in the Saints goal.

Two minutes later, Craig Forrest came to West Ham's rescue with a brilliant point-blank stop from Hassan Kachloul.

Some sloppy defending allowed the Moroccan winger a free shot from six yards, but Forrest - a hero recently when helping Canada lift the CONCACAF Gold Cup - saved with his legs.

Sinclair was revelling in his favourite central striking role, even if it may be only temporary, and he cut through the saints defence like a knife to tee-up Wanchope to open the scoring.

His speed and skill took Sinclair down the right flank to the byeline and he pulled the ball back for Wanchope to sweep it home from eight yards.

Glenn Hoddle's first game as Saint manager was a 2-1 victory over the Hammers at The Dell last month, but this wasn't to be his night.

His team was unlucky not to score from a flowing move after 31 minutes when Kevin Davies burst into the right hand side of the box and blasted a shot against the bar.

Those heroics of Forrest for his country in America last month were continuing at Upton Park, and he again came to the rescue after 38 minutes.

Marian Pahars cut in from the right and unleashed a fierce left-foot drive, but the big goalkeeper dived full length to beat it away.

There were similar heroics at the other end two minutes later when Welsh goalkeeper Jones pushed aside a 20-yarder from Lampard.

Wanchope should have doubled the lead in first half injury time, but he headed sideways from Sinclair's cross rather than forward.

The bad news in the dressing room about Pearce gave West Ham an added incentive to do well for their brave colleague, as they doubled their lead just three minutes into the second half.

The outstanding Sinclair cut in from the left and drilled a low shot from 20 yards to beat Jones inside his near post and record his seventh Premiership goal of the season.

The goal led to Hammers boss Harry Redknapp altering his formation to protect the lead, with Sinclair playing as a left wing-back and 18-year-old Cole joining Wanchope in attack.

Hoddle had little to offer in return, but tried to shake things up by replacing Kachloul with Trond Soltvedt after 66 minutes.

The home fans then raised one of the biggest cheers of the night after 73 minutes as their idol di Canio came off the bench to replace Cole.

The closing stages were a mere formality for West Ham as they held on for the points which lifted them into UEFA Cup contention, while Hoddle must continue the fight against relegation.

West Ham: Forrest, S. Pearce (Minto 9), Stimac, Ferdinand, Lomas, Lampard, Moncur, Foe, Cole (Di Canio 73), Sinclair, Wanchope.

Subs Not Used: Feuer, Kitson, Keller.

Goals: Wanchope 18, Sinclair 48.

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Marsden, Lundekvam, Oakley, Davies, Benali, Pahars, Bridge, Tessem, Kachloul (Soltvedt 66).

Subs Not Used: Moss, M. Hughes, Rodrigues, Monk.

Booked: Davies.

Att: 23,484

Ref: S Lodge (Barnsley).