Selection Decisions Ahead

Glenn Roeder is delighted that Fredi Kanoute was back with a bang against Sunderland - and is looking forward to welcoming Lee Bowyer back from suspension against Southampton as well.

Along with the return of Paolo Di Canio - about whom Glenn has already spoken here - the number of players available to him, as long as there are no injuries in international week, will be the highest it has ever been since he took charge.

"It is terrific to have Lee Bowyer back as it is with Kanoute," says Glenn.

"I think that second half performance on Saturday just showed everyone that he is the man we have missed so much in the last six months, because he scored so many winning goals at Upton Park last year.

"It was good that he came back in those 45 minutes and reminded everyone what he is about, and the way he scored the goal was excellent.

"It was a chance, but when you are meant to score sometimes it is more difficult; but the way he angled his foot to put it right into the bottom corner was good.

"It is very important that we have a fit and motivated Kanoute back.

"And, going back to Lee Bowyer, he was so disappointed to have picked up the tenth booking against Tottenham that cost him the two matches because that was easily his best game for the club.

"He was outstanding, and that is the Lee Bowyer that was so good for Leeds United in Champions' League football and playing for England.

"Lee has got a huge part to play in the last seven games, and as Terry Venables said to me has got freakish fitness levels; I haven't seen anything to suggest Terry is not right in that assessment.

"He has got tremendous energy levels and when other players start to flag in the last 10 or 12 minutes he is still going as strong as he was in the first 10 or 12 minutes.

"So it is good to have him back, and, like all of them, he is training extremely well - and he is so fresh at the moment."