Sinclair Move Denied

Glenn Roeder denies reports that Sunderland have made - or are set to make - a move for Trevor Sinclair.

"I'm not aware of that at all," he says, "and we've been down that road before when Newcastle showed an interest.

"Trevor is not for sale; we are trying to add to the squad, not bring one in and let one go out.

"Again, I don't know where these stories come from.

"Trevor is a key, key, player for us this year.

"With his two performances against Leeds and Liverpool already this season he has shown me and us what an important player he is, and how we missed him for 20 games last season.

"We found it very difficult without him, and, although we would have liked to have picked up more than one point from our two games so far, against Liverpool and Leeds, Trevor's performances in both games have been excellent.

"I'm looking forward to seeing him play all this season for us."

He tips that full England honours are not far away for Trevor, adding:

"I'm sure if he carries on playing the way he started - and I know Sven-Goran Eriksson was at the Leeds game, and must have been mightily impressed with his performance - he will pick up his first England cap with us this year while at West Ham.

"I don't see why it shouldn't happen; obviously there is the last game to be played against Greece in November and then there will be friendly games leading up to the summer.

"I am very confident we will qualify for Japan, and I can only see Trevor being involved at some stage and getting that full recognition that he so desires.

"I could see him being capped many times - and don't forget when Tord Grip came over he was one of the players that first impressed him."

Glenn hopes to have a quartet of England players by the season's end, and adds:

"If David James makes the recovery that we want him to make I can see him, Trevor, Joe, and Michael all involved in the England squad this season - and all as West Ham players."

It would be a remarkable intrusion into the 'cartel' of Leeds, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool whose players dominate the squad.

Glenn reflects:

"Obviously they are the teams that have been fighting out the championships in recent years and their players come to the fore as a result.

"So it would be a tremendous achievement if we had four players involved come the end of the season."