Paolo Focused

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Glenn Roeder says that Paolo Di Canio will not be affected by the speculation concerning Manchester United when he plays against Leicester City at the weekend.

And, with Fredi Kanoute, like Paolo, also back after missing the FA Cup win last weekend, the Hammers boss has options up front again.

He says: "Fredi has made a full recovery from the flu and has trained all week, as has Paolo, who had a tight hamstring and the flu.

"Paolo is very professional and when we gather to do a check to see who is fit and who is not fit so we can absolutely nail down our starting line up, as far as I'm concerned he is very much a West Ham player.

"I'm sure that he would want to be out there on Saturday."

Glenn says that Paolo has had a tough time dealing with the speculation, and explains: "You have got to respect it has been a difficult week for Paolo, and no one has mentioned that.

"You would have to say it has been unsettling for us as a club though the players are that professional they get used to speculation, because they have had it all year.

"But you can do without it, and no one has really mentioned Paolo - it must be very difficult for him in this situation, when someone like Manchester United comes calling for your services.

"It must be difficult to concentrate, but I have looked at him closely in training and he was working his socks off - as he always does.

"He loves his training and he loves playing, there is no doubt about it, and when he finally decides to pack in playing I think it will be a very difficult day for him."

Glenn says no increased bid has been received for Paolo from Manchester United, adding: "We have had no contact from United since receiving a faxed bid last Friday. The ball is in their court, but things in football can change quickly.

"There is only one Paolo Di Canio and you can't compare him to anyone in the game. He is a one-off, and you don't replace him, you just have to search for other ways to win football matches.

"He has been a great signing for West Ham - you could argue one of the best and I would not hesitate to play him at the weekend.

Whether Jermain Defoe's brace at Moss Rose was enough to earn him a place against Leicester remains to be seen, however, but Glenn says: "Jermain is such a livewire and he is another one that is worth watching in training as well. He scored a couple of goals that were absolutely outstanding at Chadwell Heath today."