Glenn Denies Report

Glenn Roeder has denied a report suggesting that he is interested in signing AC Milan's Danish World Cup defender Martin Laursen.

"He is someone I am aware of, an excellent player," says Glenn, "but where that speculation comes from I don't know."

The Glenn Roeder quote accompanying the piece, talking about defending in general, was in fact something he said here some time ago and did not relate to Laursen, who played against England in a 3-0 defeat for the Danes in the summer.

Meanwhile Glenn has to decide whether to include Fredi Kanoute in his starting line up against Aston Villa on Saturday, after he returned to full training this week following a groin problem.

"He trained very well at the latter end of the week and this weekend it will be eight weeks since he last played - it seems incredible it is that long," says Glenn.

"The time seems to have flashed by since the end of September when he did it against Chelsea, and it has been a very tough two months for us.

"He has done a lot of physical work so his fitness levels have been good, and he has worked as hard as all the other players.

"Speaking to him on Thursday he was feeling a lot happier in himself, a lot stronger, and we just have to decide whether two days of football are enough after being out for two months.

"I will assess things in the morning regarding Fredi and take it from there."

Glenn acknowledges that if he does start with him it will mean resting a player who played well last weekend.

"Everyone put in a performance on Sunday - if you want a result against Manchester United, you have to," says Glenn.

Young Anton Ferdinand is included in the squad while Steve Lomas, is of course, still  on the injured list.

Squad: James, Van der Gouw, Forde, Repka, Dailly, Winterburn, Breen, Cole, Sinclair, Schemmel, Sofiane, Cisse, Carrick, Minto, Garcia, Di Canio, Rahim, Defoe, Pearce, Kanoute, Camara, Ferdinand.