Toddy Trying

Svetoslav Todorov insists he will work hard to try and force his way back into the West Ham squad - as soon as he returns from injury.

The Bulgarian striker, who has not been in Glenn Roeder's recent squads due to competition from Paul Kitson and Jermain Defoe, admits life is not a bed of roses right now and says: "Yes, it is difficult because I am not playing but I have an injury at the moment which meant I couldn't play in the reserve game on Wednesday.

"It is a dead leg which will keep me out for a week, no more.

"I have not been in the squad lately but I am fighting for my place at West Ham to show to everybody I can play - I like West Ham and I want to stay."

Toddy started the first two games of the season in the absence of Fredi Kanoute, and also started against Reading in the Worthington Cup.

"I enjoyed playing at the start of the season in the first game against Liverpool," he says, "winning the penalty, and I had a good chance against Leeds but didn't score.

"But that is life as a forward; if you don't score you don't play many games and maybe I need a little luck as everyone does in life.

"There are a lot of good strikers here but that is football."

One aspect Glenn Roeder wants him to work on is his physique, and Toddy, who has a three year contract, adds: "I think I am getting stronger as I am doing a training programme in the gym every day given to me by John McCarthy."