Glenn On Rumours

Glenn Roeder says that the transfer stories surrounding the club over the weekend are simply "pure speculation."

West Ham were linked with Derby County's Robert Lee and Muzzy Izzet of Leicester City - with a fee of £5m for the latter being mentioned, but Glenn says: "That is pure speculation and I can't comment on other teams' players, but what I will say is that we haven't got money, so we clearly aren't going to pay £5m for someone.

"The bottom line is that we are stretched not to, but beyond the limit, because of the Paolo Di Canio injury, and we need to find the two or three on loan that we need.

"Until Paolo puts on a shirt again, who knows?"

It is hoped that Fredi Kanoute and Don Hutchison will be involved with the reserve team at Derby on Tuesday evening but Glenn, already looking for cover for Fredi who has missed a lot of this season through injury, also needs another striker in the absence of Di Canio as well as, ideally, more defensive options.

"We must find a way of being creative, if you like, so we can find a solution for the short term."

Meanwhile, Don Hutchison is looking forward to a third full reserve team game taking him ever closer to a return to first team availability - and perhaps having Joe Cole, ten years his junior, ordering him about as captain on the pitch.

He says: "The lads have been having some banter with 'Captain Cole' today!

"But he deserves it and he is a great lad."

Don knows that his colleagues didn't get what they deserved on Saturday, and concludes: "It sounds as if the lads did really well and were unfortunate not to get three points, but a point isn't bad up there.

"I have spoken to the lads and they are obviously disappointed they didn't get the win - but they were quite pleased the way they played."