Paolo Doubtful

Paolo Di Canio is a major worry for the Tottenham game as he has not been able to engage in full training this week due to illness.

Reveals Glenn Roeder: "Unfortunately Paolo phoned in unwell on Thursday and our doctor, Ges Steinbergs, went over to his house and diagnosed gastritis, which would make him a doubt for Saturday.

"But in actual fact he hasn't been able to come out and play football this week. He was off on Monday with a cold and on Tuesday and Wednesday did light gym work.

"The gastritis does make him a big doubt for Saturday.

"But Joe is back from his one match suspension. He had a few extra days off more than the lads, because of his ban, to give him a break - and he has been bouncing in training this week.

"In the manner in which he has been training he has been saying to me, without actually using the words, that he wants to start Saturday.

"That is a very good thing for me to see and have."

Joe was in attendance at The Hawthorns on Sunday, though, and Glenn adds: "I think it is a big deal because quite often now in the present climate, and the way things are generally, among lots of players who are not involved in the team the percentage of players who travel to see an away game is very small.

"It took no prompting from me for Joe to come up to The Hawthorns on Sunday morning. He drove up with his father, came into the dressing room before the game to see the players and wish them all the best, and he was one of the first in the dressing room after the game.

"He joined in the good spirits immediately after the win and it was terrific. Joe is very much part of the good team spirit that is running through the squad at the moment."

The question of how to fit him in to the starting line up is an interesting one after the victory at the weekend, and Glenn adds: "Everyone is champing at the bit for tomorrow's game and it is a problem I would much rather have."