Glenn: No 'problem'

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Fredi Kanoute presents Glenn Roeder with a selection dilemma at Highbury on Wednesday night now that he has been confirmed as recovering from illness in time to face Arsenal.

"Fredi came in and trained this morning and he is fit and available - I'm sure he will be looking forward to the game," reveals Glenn, who is pondering how, or whether, to change a team that won so convincingly against Sunderland on Saturday.

"I've not always had options this year, but I don't see it as a 'problem'; it is a way of describing it, and I understand that, but it is nice to have alternatives.

"There is a clean bill of health from the game on Saturday and with Fredi fit and available again it is going to be helpful."

Nigel Winterburn, who started on Saturday, will be the focus of attention as he returns to the club he spent so long at before joining West Ham for a small fee two seasons ago.

"Nigel has had a great season and he has had a fantastic two years here, and he has been a credit to West Ham, as he was to Arsenal for 13 seasons," says Glenn.

Nigel will, of course, be departing this summer for pastures new, and Glenn adds: "It was a difficult decision, and he had certainly been pressing me for one over the last few months which I hadn't really been able to give him. He was a terrific signing and as far as I'm concerned he is a role model for our young players.

"You have got to look to the future as well, and we have signed Vladimir Labant who is 27 or 28 and an experienced international player.

"If Nigel is going to play on for another year, which he has said he is going to, I'm sure in his last season he would prefer to play every week."

Glenn says his players will show a healthy respect for the Gunners, and no more, on Wednesday, and adds: "We don't want to go into any game fearful. Fear is a very negative factor and stops you from performing.

"We are obviously respectful, which is different, but hopefully we will not show too much respect where again that would be a hindrance.

"Looking at the boys in training this morning, they are really looking forward to the game, and we want to keep things going away from home.

"They are on a run of nine straight wins. I went across to Highbury to see them play against Ipswich and they were very dogged and determined but I always felt there were goals waiting to happen, and sure enough they got their first followed quickly by another one.

"They are an excellent side, full of movement and pace. We are going to have to be at our very best to contain them and hopefully we can counter attack against them to carve out one or two chances ourselves.

"Ipswich certainly did - not too many, mind you, but they should certainly have taken the lead just before half time when they hit the post."

There has been no easing off as West Ham chase seventh spot, even though European qualification is out of reach, and Glenn insists: "The lads are motivated and that is pleasing, and they have got to be like that tomorrow. They have got the flavour of what we have been asking them to do.

"The season doesn't end until the last kick against Bolton and we don't want to let go that opportunity of finishing seventh."

As for Saturday's victory, Glenn says: "It was a very good win and I was really pleased. After losing at Sunderland back in December to a late Kevin Phillips goal when we played really well was disappointing on the day.

"I remember being a little bit down to be truthful, going back to the airport with nothing having played so well.

"It was 3-0 and it could have been more. There was Joe's 'goal' and there was a good save from Michael Carrick at the end, but three was still a decent scoreline on the back of a very good performance on the day."

Glenn feels delighted that Tord Grip - a confirmed admirer of Trevor Sinclair since he first saw him last season before his injury problems - was able to score in front of Sven-Goran Eriksson's assistant, and he says: "Trevor Sinclair proved his versatility yet again, playing up front, and when I asked him to do the job he was so up for it - which showed in his performance.

"Tord Grip was at the game and I am sure he must have been impressed by Trevor's performance, as I am sure he was by the other three lads.

"David didn't have a lot to do, but what he did, he did with a touch of class."

What would have put the icing on the cake would have been a Joe Cole goal in front of England's number two, and Glenn adds: "He needs a goal badly for himself. I am not too worried, but he is desperate for his first league goal of the season, and I thought he had finally broken his duck so I felt it was pretty harsh when the linesman put his flag up.

"Having seen the video I am not convinced he was offside, but there we are, he will have to wait a little bit longer and hopefully it will come on Wednesday."

One man who is scoring at the moment is Steve Lomas, and Glenn adds: "It's not just his goals, it is his general performances as well, and I think he has been a major factor in our results since he came back to the side.

"He is a little bit different to the other midfield players we have got at the club - and he gives us a nice balance."

One man who did overcome illness on Saturday was Jermain Defoe, and Glenn adds: "I am full of praise for Jermain, because he was ill on Thursday night and we didn't see him on Friday, but he dragged himself out of bed on Saturday morning and got himself in to play the game.

"He played his part and it was great that he got the third goal. I just brought him off after 75 minutes or so just because he had been unwell - but he is okay for Arsenal."