Paolo Might Play

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Paolo Di Canio might be fit to play against Oldham on Wednesday night - and rumours that Jermain Defoe is injured are wide of the mark.

"If Paolo is fit it goes without saying that it would be him and Jermain up front," says Glenn Roeder.

As far as contingency plans go, however, Glenn - in the absence of Fredi Kanoute, Trevor Sinclair, and Don Hutchison - knows he will have decisions to make about the forward line.

"A few people will be in my thoughts; there is Camara, Sofiane, and we mustn't forget Richard Garcia who played for a couple of seasons in the youth team as a striker," he says.

"It is only us that converted him into an attacking midfielder in the last 18 months - and he has done very well.

"But, if needs be, I am sure he could revert to playing with his back to goal and bringing others into play.

"He is very athletic and extremely hard working and maybe his opportunity will come on Wednesday if Paolo wasn't to make it.

"One or two of the young lads could well find themselves on the bench on Wednesday night including maybe Brent Rahim.

"He has travelled the last few times and with the injuries we have got right now he might just move up the pecking order."

Brent has yet to make the bench since his loan move from Levski Sofia but knows he has to impress before the transfer window if he is to make the move permanent.