Roeder's banking on Kanoute

GLENN ROEDER is banking on Freddie Kanoute to fire West Ham off the bottom of the Premiership table.

Hammers boss Roeder expects the French striker to return to the team to face Fulham on St Stephen’s Day, and finally put an end to the club’s woes in front of goal.

Defender Ian Pearce has scored in two of the four matches in which he has played as an emergency striker, but he will stand aside for Kanoute who is available again after missing the last 12 weeks with a groin injury.

“I would be very disappointed if Freddie wasn’t fit for Thursday and all the indications are that he will be,” said Roeder, after his team took just one of the many chances they created in yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Bolton.

“He has been out for 12 weeks which is longer than a summer break and he didn’t feel ready to play against Bolton, but hopefully he will be ready for Fulham. We have had to take our time with him because if he breaks down again it will be horrendous.

“It goes without saying we have missed Kanoute. Freddie and Paolo di Canio are our main two strikers yet they haven’t played together twice this year.

“I don’t want that to be seen as any criticism of Ian Pearce or Jermain Defoe, who have given everything to the cause, but we are creating far too many chances for the few we are scoring.”

Roeder is optimistic he will add another striker to his squad in the form of a loan signing when the transfer window opens next month.

West Ham were on course to claim their first home win of the season yesterday after Pearce had given them a deserved lead, but the party was spoiled when Michael Ricketts scored from what looked offside position.

That left Roeder cursing the officials and even calling for the introduction of television replays to help the men in black at moments like that.