Ahmed keen to impress Paolo

Ahmed Abdulla is planning to make his mark after joining Swindon Town on loan until the New Year.

The young West Ham United midfielder linked up with the Robins after speaking to Hammers great and County Ground manager Paolo Di Canio.

The Italian has told the 19-year-old to express himself in a Swindon shirt, starting in Saturday's live Sky-televised League Two clash with Rotherham United.

"It's a good move for me," said Abdulla, who joined West Ham from Arsenal at the age of 16 and has been a regular in the reserves and development squad in recent seasons.

"To go away on loan and learn from someone like Paolo Di Canio, with the ability he had and the way I try to play, hopefully I should fit in well to his squad.

"I had a chat with Paolo on the phone and he told me they were interested in me and liked the way I play. Hopefully I can help them and they can help me to improve my game.

"I'd like to make my mark in the Swindon team and hopefully we can do well while I am there.

"Ian Hendon told me to keep doing what I am doing. I know I have got an opportunity now to do something with myself in football."

Abdulla, who will wear No32 at Swindon, signed a new one-year professional contract with the Hammers earlier this summer.

He is one of four loanees who could be in action for their respective clubs and countries this weekend.

Real Zaragoza loanee Pablo Barrera and his Mexico team-mates will travel to Poland on Friday evening for a friendly international.

In the Football League, Cristian Montano will hope to feature when Notts County entertain Bournemouth in League One on Saturday afternoon.

In League Two, Olly Lee's Dagenham & Redbridge travel to Hereford United, while Jordan Brown is in line to make his senior debut for Aldershot Town in their home match against Cheltenham Town.

Jordan Spence will have a weekend off with npower Championship club Bristol City due to the international break.