"The move for Bobby was genuinely done in the best interests of West Ham and we have a reserve game on Wednesday which I have switched to Upton Park - and there are a few senior boys playing so I thought it would be nice for the fans to see them there - the first viewing of Bobby in a West Ham shirt," says Alan of the game against Southampton, which kicks off at 7 o'clock.
"Lomy is going to play and Rob Lee, as well as Sebastien Carole."
Sebastien, a midfielder, has joined on loan until the end of the season, and Alan says:
"He came on trial from a good pedigree; he is a Monaco player and in all truth hasn't cost us a lot of money.
"He wants to look at the English game and I like the look of him; there is just something about him and I will be interested to see how he gets on tomorrow.
"There is a good chance, especially in the FA Cup, that he could feature.
"He has got great vision for a wide player; he can see a pass and has excellent feet.
"I think we will see that he is a certain type that West Ham fans would like."
The signing of Sebastien means that, if everyone was fit, Alan could put out a good side of midfield men alone, and Alan says:
"We have a really good squad; we had 27 professionals training this morning and that bodes well for the future.
"You can see in training there is a bit of anxiety in that people are thinking about those berths - and that has given a little bit of tension to the training, which is exactly what you want.
"That gets people on the edge - and when people are on their edge they produce their best stuff.
"The one thing about midfield players is they usually have that little bit of fighting spirit and they need to have that to be part of a midfield unit.
"So to be overloaded with them is really good news - you can never have too many midfield players, in my opinion."
Alan is delighted that Steve and Rob are continuing their rehab, and adds:
"Everyone is going on about the youth that is coming in the side but you can't do anything without the right experience, and those two offer it to us.
"I am desperate to get those two back to full fitness."
Jamie Day will also start, and Alan explains:
"Jamie will feature; he is a young lad from Peterborough and although he hasn't got his full strength yet you will see that he has got natural ability."
TEAM: Shaaban, McLenehan, Quinn, Lomas, Lumsden, Blewitt, Carole, Lee, Zamora, Mellor, Day.
Subs: McMahon, Forde, Noble, Cohen, Tattam.